In an ongoing war that has pushed the region back decades, life in Gaza has become a dire struggle for survival. As Israeli strikes intensify, the people of Gaza are forced to resort to outdated methods of living, with limited access to basic necessities.

The heavy bombardment on Friday night brought the heaviest strikes of the war, leaving Gaza almost entirely cut off from the world. Cell phone networks, internet, and even satellite phones have ceased to function, exacerbating an already brutal atmosphere of isolation.

Displaced families, particularly from Gaza City and the northern cities, where Israeli strikes have been most severe, are resorting to collecting broken furniture and scrap wood from the streets to use as fuel for cooking. Cooking gas is scarce, leading many to abandon phones and televisions. Radios have become the sole means of communication with the outside world.

With fridges not functioning and a constant fear of food- and water-borne diseases, families ration drinking water and seek refuge with friends and family. Overwhelmed UN-run schools have become shelters for more than 600,000 people, while others have sought safety in open areas around hospitals, even sleeping in their cars.

All the while, the Israeli strikes persist, with scores of attacks happening every hour. The militant Islamist group, Hamas, is believed to be responsible for a surprise attack that led to the escalation of the conflict.

A distressing phenomenon has emerged amidst the chaos – mothers in Gaza have started writing their children's names on their legs and hips to aid in identification in the event of an airstrike that claims their lives. This desperate measure further highlights the profound challenges faced by the people of Gaza.

Humanitarian access to the region remains extremely limited, with approximately half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million displaced in the past three weeks. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) warns that a lack of fuel could halt their operations, which are crucial for providing aid to the affected population.

Fuel shortages resulting from Israel's "complete siege" have led to a severe electricity crisis, greatly hampering Palestinians' ability to communicate with the outside world.

The market in Nuseirat, where many from Gaza City have sought refuge, reflects the challenges faced by the community. Wafa Bash, a 56-year-old mother of seven, visits the market every day to find food for her family. With no power for refrigeration, perishable items cannot be stored, forcing families to make daily trips for necessities.

Long queues at bakeries are another hurdle in their daily lives. Talal Ayman, a 19-year-old student, expresses the harshness of their reality, waiting for hours for bread while witnessing fights over queue-jumping. The increased prices due to shortages have worsened the situation for struggling families.

Despite being advised to move to safer areas, such as Nuseirat, by the Israel Defense Forces, residents there are not immune to danger. Even the market area has come under fire, exemplified by the tragic loss of the family of Al Jazeera's Arabic bureau chief in an airstrike.

With desperate circumstances unfolding, Gaza's residents find themselves resorting to archaic means of survival. Using furniture as fuel, stealing food from UNRWA stores, and relying on firewood for cooking have become common practices. Basic amenities such as cooking gas are scarce, leaving families with few options.

Amidst the hardship, many individuals place blame on multiple parties, including Hamas, Israel, Arab countries, and the US and EU counties, who are perceived to be oblivious to the ongoing crisis.

As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the need for urgent humanitarian assistance becomes increasingly critical. Without immediate intervention, the already dire circumstances faced by the people of Gaza will only worsen.