Hamad Town, a once-thriving residential city in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, has been reduced to ruins following relentless Israeli bombardments since October 2023. Initially established in 2012 with significant Qatari support, the city was designed to provide housing for families affected by previous conflicts. Its development included 53 residential buildings, mosques, schools, and healthcare facilities, all aimed at offering a better life for its residents. However, the ongoing violence has transformed Hamad Town into a 'ghost city', with its infrastructure and homes devastated, leaving approximately 100,000 displaced individuals in dire conditions.
The construction of Hamad Town was a response to the dire humanitarian needs in Gaza, with Qatar investing around $407 million to aid in the reconstruction of the region. The project not only provided housing but also created thousands of job opportunities, significantly impacting the local economy. Yet, since the escalation of violence in October 2023, the city has been a focal point of destruction, with reports indicating that homes, hospitals, and public facilities have been systematically targeted.
As residents returned to what was once their home in March 2024, they found their community in ruins, with the Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics also destroyed. Despite the cessation of formal hostilities, reports indicate that the city continues to be bombed, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The situation in Hamad Town serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of conflict on civilian lives and infrastructure.
- The construction of Hamad Town was completed in three phases, with a total of 2,464 residential units delivered to families in need. The project aimed to provide affordable housing options, with monthly payments set between $100 and $170, making it accessible for low-income families. The initiative was particularly important following years of conflict that had left many families without homes. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has worsened dramatically since the latest round of violence began. The ongoing bombings have exacerbated the already critical conditions for residents, many of whom have lost everything. The destruction of essential facilities, including hospitals and schools, has left the community struggling to meet basic needs. International responses to the situation have varied, with calls for ceasefires and humanitarian aid being met with mixed reactions. The plight of residents in Hamad Town and other areas of Gaza remains urgent, as they face the dual challenges of displacement and the ongoing threat of violence.
