Operation Cast Lead

Operation Cast Lead, The Gaza Strip, Palestine | 2009

These images were taken in the silent aftermath of Operation Cast Lead, the 23-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip between December 2009 and January 2010, which killed 1,419 Palestinians, including 318 children. According to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, the Israeli Defence Force completely destroyed 2,114 houses affecting 3,314 families. They also partially destroyed 3,242 houses, affecting 5,470 families. Approximately 51,453 individuals were made homeless.

Refugee camps have been constructed amidst former neighbourhoods, hospitals recover from the most violent and bloodiest war in Gaza’s memory, families attempt to pick up the pieces and start again, schools have reopened and fishermen continue to bring in what they can.

The Gaza Strip’s borders have been closed since 2006 when the Hamas Government took control and the tunnels supply 80 per cent of all goods that reach Gaza, leaving Palestinians with little hope that things will change.