Gaza Herald _The distances people travel across the Gaza Strip are no longer measured by kilometers. Since the onset of Israel’s genocidal war, movement has become measured by hours spent on damaged roads, the physical strain of travel, and the uncertainty that accompanies every journey.
Routes that once connected Gaza’s cities in minutes have been transformed by destruction, displacement, and collapsing infrastructure. What was once a routine commute now demands significant time, effort, and endurance.
A trip from Deir al-Balah to Gaza City, for example, previously took about 15 minutes under normal conditions. Today, the same journey can stretch beyond two hours, highlighting the profound impact the war has had on daily life throughout the enclave.
Daily Travel Becomes a Test of Endurance
One morning, Mohammed Hajjouj, an employee at Al-Shifa Medical Complex, left Deir al-Balah for Gaza City to attend an important meeting. Although he allowed what once would have been more than enough time, the reality on the ground quickly proved otherwise.
By the time he reached a transportation point, available seats had already been taken. Like many passengers, he was forced to ride in the back trailer of a vehicle known locally as an “aqala,” a transport method that has become increasingly common amid the transportation crisis.
Hajjouj said that before the war, travel between cities was simple and predictable. Today, residents often begin a journey without knowing when they will arrive. The uncomfortable ride, exposure to harsh weather conditions, and lengthy delays have become unavoidable parts of daily life.
Despite setting out early, he still arrived late and faced additional travel within Gaza City before reaching his workplace.
From Emergency Measure to Everyday Transportation
The widespread use of the “aqala” began during the early stages of the war when large-scale destruction, fuel shortages, and transportation disruptions left residents with few alternatives.
What started as a temporary solution has gradually become a primary means of transportation for thousands of Palestinians moving between Gaza’s cities and displacement areas.
These vehicles now navigate roads scarred by airstrikes, bulldozed pathways, and bomb craters, carrying passengers across routes that were once traveled with ease.
For Patients, the Journey Is Part of the Suffering
The transportation crisis carries especially severe consequences for injured Palestinians and those requiring ongoing medical care.
Iman Mualliq, who suffered injuries during the war and continues to receive physical therapy, says the trip to treatment often worsens her condition.
She explained that recovery requires stability and rest, yet the rough roads and constant jolting leave her physically exhausted before she even arrives for therapy sessions.
According to Mualliq, the journey itself has become another obstacle in the long process of healing.
Drivers Face Rising Costs and Constant Risks
The hardships extend beyond passengers.
Drivers operating between Gaza’s cities say they are struggling to keep their vehicles running amid soaring maintenance costs, scarce supplies, and deteriorating road conditions.
Mohammed Abu al-Araj, who drives between Khan Younis and Gaza City, said many people assume drivers are earning substantial profits when vehicles are crowded. In reality, he explained, a single mechanical failure can eliminate any income they make.
The cost of fuel, tires, lubricants, and spare parts has risen dramatically, forcing many drivers to rely on makeshift solutions simply to remain operational.
A Transportation System in Crisis
Economic researcher Ahmed Abu Qamar says Gaza’s transportation emergency reflects a broader collapse affecting infrastructure, commerce, and household finances simultaneously.
He noted that extensive damage to major and secondary roads, combined with the destruction of thousands of vehicles and soaring operating costs, has fundamentally altered how people move across the Strip.
Transportation, once an ordinary part of life, has become a major financial burden for both drivers and passengers.
According to Abu Qamar, diesel prices have increased severalfold since before the war, while gasoline remains scarce in many areas. The cost of repairing vehicles has also skyrocketed, placing additional pressure on an already struggling transportation sector.
He warned that the use of unsuitable replacement materials due to shortages increases the likelihood of mechanical failures and road accidents, particularly given the widespread destruction of transportation infrastructure.
Billions Lost Across the Sector
The scale of damage to Gaza’s transportation network is staggering.
Before the war, local estimates placed the number of licensed vehicles in Gaza at roughly 88,000. Since then, tens of thousands have reportedly been damaged or destroyed.
Officials estimate losses to roads, vehicles, and transportation facilities in the billions of dollars. International assessments have similarly concluded that the sector has suffered enormous economic damage as a result of the ongoing war.
Cash Crisis Creates New Obstacles
In addition to physical destruction, a severe shortage of cash has created new complications for both drivers and passengers.
Many residents now depend on electronic transfers and digital payment applications to pay transportation fares.
Driver Mohammed al-Danaf said delays caused by mobile payments and unstable communication networks have become routine. Drivers frequently find themselves waiting for transactions to process or for relatives to transfer money on behalf of passengers.
Even paying for transportation, he said, has become another challenge in daily life.
A Gaza That Feels Larger Than Ever
As Israel’s war continues, transportation difficulties have become far more than a logistical problem.
The struggle to move from one place to another now affects every aspect of life, from work and education to healthcare and family obligations.
For Palestinians across Gaza, distance is no longer measured by maps or road signs. It is measured by hours lost in transit, physical exhaustion, financial hardship, and the daily effort required simply to reach a destination in a territory transformed by war.
