One year after the start of the war in the Gaza Strip, the level of destruction is colossal and the living conditions of the Gazans extremely precarious. Isabelle Defourny, President of MSF France, visited the area in early October.
In the Gaza Strip, almost 80% of buildings have been destroyed, leaving the vast majority of the population homeless. Nine out of ten inhabitants are surviving crammed into an area of 40 km², with almost no food and no access to drinking water.
The needs, including medical needs, are great, but humanitarian aid is struggling to enter the enclave. Complex administrative procedures imposed by Israel, a single point of entry, looting of aid - there are many reasons for this, but the consequences are clear: the supply of medical care does not meet needs, due to a lack of medical equipment and medicines.
A ceasefire is more essential than ever. “The hypocrisy of Israel's allies, including France, is particularly shocking. [...] It is urgent that they use all their influence to finally obtain a ceasefire”.