Palestinians describe how lack of basic infrastructure makes it difficult to return to normal

Palestinians are struggling to attend to their basic needs amid the widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure wrought by Israel's genocide on Gaza, AFP reported on Thursday. 

"I am tired of displacement, very tired. I prefer to die, just like my son. It is better for the dead," Riyad Abu Anza told AFP

Abu Alaa Skeik, from Gaza City, said his house was completely destroyed by Israel. The 52-year-old said that his family now lived in a tent next to what was left of his home.

"At first, our struggle was with the war - we were escaping death and bombardment. But today, our struggle is with life itself," he said. "We want to provide food, get water, rebuild our home and send our children back to school. We are exhausted," he added.

Abu Rafiq Zaqout, 47, from the Safatawi area in the northern Gaza Strip, described the territory as a "disaster-stricken area."

"The rubble still blocks the streets, and there isn't enough water reaching us," he added, calling for crossings to be opened so equipment could be brought in.

"There are no basic means to live here," said 26-year-old Ali al-Ajrami, describing "extremely harsh conditions" in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City.