The people in Gaza describe the humanitarian situation on the ground in Gaza and explain how the Israeli ground offensive is affecting them.
To read more visit http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/war_on_gaza/2009/01/200915122556916110.html
To read more visit http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/war_on_gaza/2009/01/200915122556916110.html
Majed Badra, 23, Gaza City, cartoonist and student at the Islamic University
"Last night was difficult - all of Gaza was under darkness. There is no TV because there is no electricity, so all the time we sit and wait and hear news on the radio about what the Israeli forces are doing and what our resistance can do and how many of our people they have killed.
I am used to air-raids and hearing the tanks come into Gaza and we are used to hearing reports on the radio in the dark. But we have to focus on the children - my brother's sons are scared all the time and the children are very frightened of the dark and of the military.
Yesterday the bread in our house ran out and me and my brother went to the bakery and waited three hours just to buy bread. There is not a lot of food in Gaza.
We have water, but we need electricity to power the pump so the water may run out in a few days. This has already happened for some of our neighbours.
Of course I worry about this situation and that maybe there will be no food left and we will have to go searching for it. But I don't know what will happen. I don't have any thoughts. I am living in the moment and waiting to see what will happen."
Ghada Snunu, 30, Gaza City, human rights worker
"We're surviving, but last night it was more than a nightmare - the attacks didn't stop at all.
There were just a few seconds between attacks from tanks, warplanes and from the sea. We couldn't sleep at all.
We haven't seen any news because we have no electricity. I have a radio on my mobile phone but the battery died last night.
Also, we have no water, no gas, nothing. We have some food but in a few days it will run out.
We were more than terrified last night - the artillery from the attacks increased and it is so loud.
And the kids - I have no words to describe how they felt. They were screaming and crying and we can't help them because each time they hear more attacks their fear increases.
It's getting worse and worse. I am worried because I don't see an end.
I am very depressed and everyone in my family is the same: depressed, afraid and sick because the Israelis are becoming more and more crazy.
I hope the resistance in Gaza will help us - yesterday I was praying for the resistance movement, for God to give them support and strength.
I believe the resistance is strong and brave - facing the Israeli army is not an easy thing. They are sacrificing everything for the sake of their home country and their land.
Why doesn't the international community demand that Israel halt its attacks immediately? They are only on the side of Israel, not with us. They want more Palestinian victims in Gaza - people who did nothing and do not deserve to be killed in such an ugly way."
Hatem Shurrab, aid worker in Gaza
"The situation is getting worse and worse, day by day.
Medical staff are suffering because of the offensive, equipment is more scarce.
Two days ago we provided two hospitals with food that should last for a month.
Our work is difficult because we are working under constant fire. We keep hearing the sounds of explosions. Planes are flying over us, they are not leaving the sky.
Last night was really terrifying. I stayed in the basement with my family. We were in total darkness. It was very cold. Over us there was the sound of huge explosions and planes. Every minute there was a missile. My nephew couldn't stop crying.
I hope it stops. Gazans are peaceful people. We don't deserve this.
I want all of this to stop so that I can work to help the people."
"Last night was difficult - all of Gaza was under darkness. There is no TV because there is no electricity, so all the time we sit and wait and hear news on the radio about what the Israeli forces are doing and what our resistance can do and how many of our people they have killed.
I am used to air-raids and hearing the tanks come into Gaza and we are used to hearing reports on the radio in the dark. But we have to focus on the children - my brother's sons are scared all the time and the children are very frightened of the dark and of the military.
Yesterday the bread in our house ran out and me and my brother went to the bakery and waited three hours just to buy bread. There is not a lot of food in Gaza.
We have water, but we need electricity to power the pump so the water may run out in a few days. This has already happened for some of our neighbours.
Of course I worry about this situation and that maybe there will be no food left and we will have to go searching for it. But I don't know what will happen. I don't have any thoughts. I am living in the moment and waiting to see what will happen."
Ghada Snunu, 30, Gaza City, human rights worker
"We're surviving, but last night it was more than a nightmare - the attacks didn't stop at all.
There were just a few seconds between attacks from tanks, warplanes and from the sea. We couldn't sleep at all.
We haven't seen any news because we have no electricity. I have a radio on my mobile phone but the battery died last night.
Also, we have no water, no gas, nothing. We have some food but in a few days it will run out.
We were more than terrified last night - the artillery from the attacks increased and it is so loud.
And the kids - I have no words to describe how they felt. They were screaming and crying and we can't help them because each time they hear more attacks their fear increases.
It's getting worse and worse. I am worried because I don't see an end.
I am very depressed and everyone in my family is the same: depressed, afraid and sick because the Israelis are becoming more and more crazy.
I hope the resistance in Gaza will help us - yesterday I was praying for the resistance movement, for God to give them support and strength.
I believe the resistance is strong and brave - facing the Israeli army is not an easy thing. They are sacrificing everything for the sake of their home country and their land.
Why doesn't the international community demand that Israel halt its attacks immediately? They are only on the side of Israel, not with us. They want more Palestinian victims in Gaza - people who did nothing and do not deserve to be killed in such an ugly way."
Hatem Shurrab, aid worker in Gaza
"The situation is getting worse and worse, day by day.
Medical staff are suffering because of the offensive, equipment is more scarce.
Two days ago we provided two hospitals with food that should last for a month.
Our work is difficult because we are working under constant fire. We keep hearing the sounds of explosions. Planes are flying over us, they are not leaving the sky.
Last night was really terrifying. I stayed in the basement with my family. We were in total darkness. It was very cold. Over us there was the sound of huge explosions and planes. Every minute there was a missile. My nephew couldn't stop crying.
I hope it stops. Gazans are peaceful people. We don't deserve this.
I want all of this to stop so that I can work to help the people."