Bad to Worse in Gaza City - By: Alisha Hawley 1

It is clear to see the many tragedies that are currently Bad to Worse in Gaza City taking place within Gaza City, as well as many other cities and towns like it. Though this suffering is also found in By: Alisha Hawley Israel especially in its agricultural areas, it is drastically different in Gaza. Why is this? Israel is allied with the 06/01/2021 US, and its US-funded “Iron Dome defense system” protects them from a good majority of the rockets. Is American funding just protecting civilian lives, or is it also encouraging the continuation of a tragic war?

The Palestinian Legislative Organization building in Gaza City which was destroyed in 2009

By: Alisha Hawley The recent conflict in the Gaza Strip between the Hamas and Israeli forces has taken a deep toll on both sides, but there have been some islands of sanctuary. One of these islands was a neighborhood in Gaza City, one that has never been bombed before. Using the concept of place is helpful in understanding the current terror taking place there.

The concept of place offers a greater understanding of the true tragedies that happen as a result of this war. Just as you gain a better sense of a plant’s structure by observing the area it resides in, you can gain a better understanding of a conflict and the people who are a part of it by understanding their surroundings. Place refers to the environment in which an individual lives, like a neighborhood, village, or town. It defines their connections and attachments and shapes their worldview and experiences. In order to properly define place, there are three sections: location (economic function), locale (institutions), and sense of place (local identity). Gaza City is the largest city in the State of Palestine and has a long history. However, the economy is severely hampered due to the ongoing struggles. As a result, citizens’ sense of place in the city is rarely one of security, even without the armed conflict. The recent bombings have also drastically changed the identity of one neighborhood in particular within Gaza City, changing it from an area that had never been bombed to a place of many casualties, breaking the tenuous safety that was enjoyed. This lack of security and economic success notably affects the locale—schools are flooded with refugees rather than students, and even more have been forced from their homes entirely.