Laura Rosbrow-Telem

Please get us out of here! I've spent the past 10 days speaking to over 40 Palestinians in Gaza about a variety of subjects related to the war in the Strip. Here are the three most pressing issues that came up: 1. Hunger is the worst it’s been: GHF is a failure, most civilians can’t access it, and aid is sold in markets because there’s nothing else coming in, so the whole local economy is dependent on whatever is delivered through it. People expected text messages, ID-based distribution, orderly collection, and a new, functional system, but instead ended up with a deadly patchwork of chaos and ineffective pandemonium that made it impossible for those in need to reach aid, particularly in northern Gaza, given the geographic concentration of the distribution sites. The feeling was that GHF is a token attempt to pretend that aid is still being provided, when the reality tells a different story. People go to GHF sites and wave/smile at staff not because they want to, but because they have no other options. 2. The erosion of the social fabric: the worsening conditions and the continuation of the war for as long as it has been going on have eroded and destroyed social cohesion and the fabric of society in unprecedented and previously unimaginable ways. Crime, theft, lawlessness, and chaos are the norm; sexual abuse and assaults of children are rampant, and women seeking aid/food for their kids/families are extorted for sexual favors; the mentality of everyman for himself is the default and that transpires the most in the acquisition and distribution of aid; and the morale of the entire society, beyond exhaustion, is one of apathy that’s driven by survival instinct. 3. A desperate desire to leave Gaza: 100% of Gazans I spoke to expressed a clear desire to leave Gaza immediately and pursue a life elsewhere. Some vowed never to come back, some wanted to “let Hamas have it,” some believed that most Gazans haven’t experienced what “normal” is, and maybe it’s better that they leave and have their children or grandchildren come back. About a third asked if they would be able to come back eventually to reclaim their property or land plots. Overwhelmingly, the sentiments expressed blamed Hamas for destroying Gaza and for being partners with Netanyahu in the expulsion of Palestinians from the coastal enclave – still, they expressed disillusionment with the Palestinian national project and a lack of interest in losing their lives for continued and repeated mistakes, especially by ruthless and vile Islamist terrorists. This is the one topic where everyone asked me to help them get out, underscoring the tragedy of their suffering.

Foreign Policy released a profile of my journey today after months of conversations with Amy Mackinnon (@ak_mack), who followed my work, saw me in action, and spoke to friends and allies. It's full of stories, vulnerabilities & complexity. @ForeignPolicy foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/01…