Nothing much has changed in Gaza, despite a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Palestine following the Israeli offensive in July and August this year. So says Dr Basil Abuwarda, a Palestinian doctor based at the Al Shifa hospital in Gaza.

“The situation is still the same and the siege is still on. The situation has never been worse. Actually it is winter now and it is raining all the time. Gaza is literally sinking…” Abuwarda told VOC News.

The infrastructure in Gaza has been destroyed in water and most of the roads or streets have been also been damaged.

The closure of the Rafah boarder for almost a month increased the suffering of the people in Gaza, as patients cannot travel abroad to get treatment. People who have businesses abroad are restricted from travelling.

Abuwarda said that no one is allowed to travel abroad or leave Gaza and this is making the situation even worse.

“Not even material has been allowed to come through the border. Only a limited amount of concrete has been allowed to pass through, no building or reconstruction has been initiated,” he said, adding that the same applies to medical supplies.

Gazans whose homes have been destroyed are now living in tents. He said the tents cannot house the people due to the fact that it is constantly raining. VOC (Imogen Vollenhoven)