January 23, 2025
News
Israa, a young woman from the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, is both a witness and a victim of one of the most devastating conflicts of today. Over 47,000 people have lost their lives in Gaza since the war began, and more than 100,000 others have suffered injuries. Among them, Israa, who lost limbs and her sisters in the bombing.
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The day that changed everything
"I was sitting with my sisters. That was our last conversation before they died," Israa remembers. The family was forced to leave their home and take refuge in a shelter in the first part of the camp due to the escalating conflict in Gaza. But even there they were not safe. The explosion that destroyed the house killed Israa's two sisters and caused her serious injuries. "When I came to myself, I was lying in the middle of the street and realised I had lost an arm and a leg. I screamed, 'My arm and leg!'"
Locals who came to her aid carried her to hospital. There, Israa learned of her sisters' deaths. "I saw them being prepared for burial," Israa says of the most painful moment of her life. Her journey continued to another hospital, Al-Aqsa, where she spent 21 days. Doctors told her that her right leg would have to be amputated because of gangrene.
Hope thanks to the help of Caritas
After her release from the hospital, Israa found support from Caritas Jerusalem, which provides medical and psychosocial assistance in Gaza. "Thanks to the kind and helpful attitude of the staff, I gained the courage to continue," Israa says. Caritas Jerusalem's clinic has become a place where she receives regular wound care, pain medication and psychological support.
Caritas has been helping since the beginning of the escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, despite the dire conditions. Caritas Jerusalem, with whom we work closely, provides primary health care and psychological support directly in Gaza. It currently has 94 staff in Gaza, mainly doctors, nurses or pharmacists, divided into 12 medical teams.
In cooperation with Caritas Jerusalem, Caritas Czech Republic provides medical care for 5,000 local residents. This is another mutual cooperation to help the affected civilians. The provision of medical aid in Gaza is financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
The conflict, which escalated on 7 October 2023, has had devastating consequences. According to available data, more than 47,000 people have been killed and over 100,000 others injured in Gaza. The situation for civilians is critical - more than 2 million people do not have access to basic needs such as water, food, medical care or safe shelter.
The conflict is also affecting the West Bank
The war is also affecting the security situation in the West Bank. Since 7 October, more than 800 Palestinians have been killed and more than 7 000 injured. People in the West Bank are also suffering from a lack of food, water and safe shelter. Many have lost their livelihoods.
Caritas helps civilians in the West Bank. Our partner organisation, Caritas Jerusalem, is helping in 30 villages and the Jenin refugee camp. In collaboration with Catholic Relief Services, they provide basic humanitarian and medical assistance, including psychosocial support. Caritas has also contributed to the repair of destroyed shelters and provided financial support to people affected by the conflict to enable them to acquire basic necessities. Farmers who have lost access to land due to land grabbing have also received assistance.
Help civilians in Gaza
The help that Caritas provides would not be possible without the generous support of our donors. Your support enables people like Israa to get the care they need. Donate and help with us.
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