Background on Key Figures and Context
As 2025 concludes, Palestinians in Gaza face the New Year exhausted, weary, and clinging to the fragile hope that their “endless nightmare” might finally come to an end. For the residents of this beleaguered territory, daily life is a struggle for survival.
Gaza’s infrastructure lies in ruins, electricity remains scarce, and hundreds of thousands live in makeshift shelters after being displaced repeatedly during the two years of fighting that began with Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023.
Who is Hanaa Abu Amra?
Hanaa Abu Amra, a displaced resident of Gaza City, voiced the collective sentiment: “We are living an endless nightmare in Gaza. We hope this nightmare ends in 2026. At the very least, we wish for a normal life: restored electricity and safe streets.”
Living Conditions in Gaza
Across Gaza, a territory of over two million people, scenes of hardship have become commonplace. Children queue with plastic containers to collect water while lines of tents stretch along streets and open spaces, offering shelter to families who have lost their homes.
Neighborhoods that once thrived now bear the scars of bombardments, with daily activities reduced to essentials only. For many, the end of the year is a time for both mourning and hope.
Symbolic Gestures of Hope
In Gaza City, an adolescent painted “2026” on his shelter, while a local artist carved the same number into the sand in Deir el Balah, central Gaza. These gestures symbolize the residents’ yearning for a better future.
Experiences and Hope for 2026
Shireen Al Kayali’s experience mirrors that of countless Gazans forced to flee repeatedly, often with little warning, carrying only what they could manage. The prolonged war displaced entire families, destroyed livelihoods, and fragmented communities.
Despite the devastation, some Gaza residents cling to the belief that the new year might bring an end to hostilities and a chance for reconstruction. Hope has become an act of resilience, especially following the truce that took effect on October 10 and largely halted the clashes.
Voices of Hope
“We still hope for a better life in 2026. I call on the free world to help our oppressed people,” emphasized Khaled Abdel Majid, a 50-year-old living in a tented camp in Jabalia.
Faten al Hindawi echoed this sentiment: “We bid farewell to 2025’s pain and look forward to 2026 as a year of hope, prayer, determination, and success stories.” These hopes resonate throughout Gaza, despite the dire conditions on the ground.
Ongoing Humanitarian Challenges
Humanitarian agencies warn that food, water, and medical supplies shortages persist while harsh winter conditions exacerbate life in overcrowded displaced camps.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the key figures mentioned? Hanaa Abu Amra, Shireen Al Kayali, Khaled Abdel Majid, and Faten al Hindawi represent the voices of Gaza’s residents.
- What is the current situation in Gaza? Gaza’s infrastructure is in ruins, electricity is scarce, and hundreds of thousands live in makeshift shelters due to displacement during the prolonged conflict.
- What are the residents’ hopes for 2026? Despite the devastation, many Gazans cling to hope for an end to hostilities and a chance for reconstruction in 2026.
- What humanitarian challenges persist in Gaza? Food, water, and medical supply shortages continue, worsened by harsh winter conditions in overcrowded displaced camps.
