Ibrahim Abu Rish, a civil defence rescuer in Gaza City, recently received a much-needed haircut from a barber at al-Shifa Hospital. Despite feeling fresh, Abu Rish has not been able to return home to Karameh in over a month, as his neighborhood was destroyed in the conflict.
His wife and children are displaced, and he hasn’t had the chance to see them yet. The ongoing Israeli bombardment has resulted in the deaths of over 10,500 Palestinians, with many being women and children. Abu Rish has been witness to the destruction and devastation, including the loss of colleagues in air attacks.
The civil defence team is facing a shortage of heavy machinery and equipment needed for rescue efforts. The lack of resources and damaged infrastructure make their work even more difficult. Telecommunications blackouts add to the stress, preventing coordination among rescue teams.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Abu Rish and his colleagues remain committed to their oath to protect their people. They are calling for a ceasefire and for the injured to be transferred for treatment outside of Gaza. Abu Rish expressed, “Enough.”