Afterdark: Consequences of War on Women in the Gaza Strip
By Simona Ghizzoni
ESSAY CONTAINS EXPLICIT CONTENT
I reached the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the first time in 2010, on assignment with a friend journalist, to document the condition of Palestinian women in the Gaza Strip. At that time, we had the access to the Gaza Strip denied by the Israeli Government. To me it was a big surprise, so I decided to spend a couple of months in Jerusalem and the West Bank in order to see and understand more of the social and political situation in Israel and the Occupied Territories. That was the beginning of my long-term project about the consequences of war on women’s lives, Afterdark.
Abandoned house in Rafah. Tunnel area. 31-03-2011
Two years after the Israeli operation “Cast Lead”, the Gaza Strip lives still in a limbo, worsened by the closure of the borders and the following severe economical crisis along with the complete isolation of the population. The ongoing condition of extreme instability is leading to an increase of psychological and physical affections. In this environment women and children are often paying the highest price: they cannot overcome the violence they experienced or saw in the war, perpetuated by the “low-intensity” conflict that still takes a heavy toll on Palestinians. Gaza Strip. 22-04-2011
Beit Hanoun. Northern Gaza Strip. 10-04-2011
Jamila Salman, 40. Jamila was injured during the war and she is still owadays facing the consequences of the shooting. Beit Lahyia. Gaza Strip. 27-03-2011
Shati Camp. Gaza Strip. 02-04-2011
Farah Abu Halima, 7 years old. During the operation “Cast Lead” in January 2009, the area where her family lives, Al-Sayafa, northern Gaza Strip, was attacked with a number of weapons, including white phosphorous shells. Five members of the family were killed and Farah suffered from extensive burns. Al-Sayafa. Gaza Strip. 02-12-2010.
On 17 January 2009, Nujoud Al-Ashqar was severely injured when the UNRWA school she and her family were sheltering in was hit by shells containing white phosphorous. Nujoud sustained severe head injuries, her left hand was heavily damaged, and her right hand had to be amputated. Two of her sons, Bilal aged six and Mohammed aged four, were killed in the attack. Beit Lahiya. Gaza Strip. 12-12-2010.
Traces of white phosphor in a house in Beit Lahyia, northern Gaza Strip. 04-04-2011
Two years after the Israeli operation “Cast Lead”, the Gaza Strip lives still in a limbo, worsened by the closure of the borders and the following severe economical crisis along with the complete isolation of the population. The ongoing condition of extreme instability is leading to an increase of psychological and physical affections. In this environment women and children are often paying the highest price: they cannot overcome the violence they experienced or saw in the war, perpetuated by the “low-intensity” conflict that still takes a heavy toll on Palestinians. Jamila (40) was injured by a small rocket that hit her legs. She’s now disabled and in need for treatment. Beit Lahyia. Gaza Strip. 27-03-2011
Two years after the Israeli operation “Cast Lead”, the Gaza Strip lives still in a limbo, worsened by the closure of the borders and the following severe economical crisis along with the complete isolation of the population. The ongoing condition of extreme instability is leading to an increase of psychological and physical affections. In this environment women and children are often paying the highest price: they cannot overcome the violence they experienced or saw in the war, perpetuated by the “low-intensity” conflict that still takes a heavy toll on Palestinians. Girls dressed up for a wedding in Al-Zeitoon, Middle area. Gaza Strip. 10-12-2010
Outskirts south of Gaza City, Samouni area. The Samouni area became sadly famous during the Israeli operation Cast Lead (2008-2009) when 29 member of the extended Samouni family where killed by air strikes and artillery fire. Samouni’s new house under construction. Gaza Strip. 21-04-2011. 03:52 p.m.
A few months later I got the permission to enter the Gaza Strip, where I stayed as a whole around three months, documenting the aftermath of Cast Lead Operation (ended in 2009) and the life of women in the extremely complex contest of the Strip.
Women in Gaza suffer of a double pressure: the isolation from the outside world imposed by Israeli blockade, with all the economical, physical and psychological consequences, and, on the other hand, the worsening of women’s human rights conditions under Hamas government, heading towards an effective gender separation.
Through the stories of the women I met, I am trying to understand what actually happens when a military operation is declared a success, how is the return to normality of life, and which normality can be actually restored, in order to avoid to forget the real human toll of any war..
Outskirts noth of Gaza City, road toward Erez border. Gaza Strip. 21-04-2011. 10:07 a.m.
Fathya HejouJ, 48, lives in the Bedouin village in northern Gaza Strip. The Bedouin village lies in an extremely poor and unsafe area colse to the northern border. Fathya lost two of her sons, militants. Gaza Strip. 28-03-2011
The damage and negative consequences of the Israeli Cast Lead operation on the Gaza Strip in 2008, and the following closure is not only limited to the number of victims, the destruction of houses and infrastructures, but it also reached the environment. The destruction of the sewage system in Gaza heavily affected the sea, an average of 20,000 cubic meters of raw sewage is dumped directly into it every day. 90% of the water available in Gaza from its only source—the coastal aquifer—is undrinkable, and nitrate and chloride levels reach six and seven times the international safety standards put forward by the World Health Organization (WHO). The solid waste is as well become an issue after the closure: the lack of suitable land filling sites, as land in Gaza is generally scarce. It is understandable that under such circumstances, the price of land will increase far beyond its financial value. Building material recycling area East of Gaza City. Gaza Strip. 04-12-2010
Two years after the Israeli operation “Cast Lead”, the Gaza Strip lives still in a limbo, worsened by the closure of the borders and the following severe economical crisis along with the complete isolation of the population. The ongoing condition of extreme instability is leading to an increase of psychological and physical affections. In this environment women and children are often paying the highest price: they cannot overcome the violence they experienced or saw in the war, perpetuated by the “low-intensity” conflict that still takes a heavy toll on Palestinians. Recentely targeted house in Gaza City. Gaza Strip. 25-03-2011
Sand storm. Middle Area. Gaza Strip. 12-12-2010.
Gaza zoo in the middle area. Most of the animals died of starving during the 22-days operation Cast Lead. Gaza Strip. 02-04-2011
Sheeps in Beit Lahiyah camp. Gaza Strip. 04-12-2010.
Abandoned house in Rafah. Tunnel area. 31-03-2011
Two years after the Israeli operation “Cast Lead”, the Gaza Strip lives still in a limbo, worsened by the closure of the borders and the following severe economical crisis along with the complete isolation of the population. The ongoing condition of extreme instability is leading to an increase of psychological and physical affections. In this environment women and children are often paying the highest price: they cannot overcome the violence they experienced or saw in the war, perpetuated by the “low-intensity” conflict that still takes a heavy toll on Palestinians. Open air garbage dump on Netzarim Road. Gaza Strip. 21-04-2011
Two years after the Israeli operation “Cast Lead”, the Gaza Strip lives still in a limbo, worsened by the closure of the borders and the following severe economical crisis along with the complete isolation of the population. The ongoing condition of extreme instability is leading to an increase of psychological and physical affections. In this environment women and children are often paying the highest price: they cannot overcome the violence they experienced or saw in the war, perpetuated by the “low-intensity” conflict that still takes a heavy toll on Palestinians. Samer lost her apartment and 2 of her sons during the war. The whole family is now living in a one-room flat almost with no furniture since then. Beit Lahyia. Gaza Strip. 05-04-2011
Gaza zoo in the middle area. Most of the animals died of starving during the 22-days operation Cast Lead. Gaza Strip. 02-04-2011
Bio
Simona Ghizzoni (b.1977) is a photographer, artist and activist for women rights.
Most of her work stems from personal issues, which she processes and interprets through photography and video.
Mainly known for her autobiographical work on eating disorders, titled Odd Days, and her self-portraits series Aftermath/Rayuela addressing the ambivalent relationship between man and nature, Ghizzoni blurs the lines between documentary and personal research. While her images are often socially- inspired, she tends to employ a personal and participative narrative, at times even fantastical, that arises from the intimate relationship she creates with the other.
She is currently working on Isola, a new self-portrait series.
Her work has received several prizes, such as World Press Photo, Poyi, the Aftermath project, Burn Magazine Emerging Photographer Grant, BBC Arabic Film and Documentary Festival, Margaret Mead Film Festival, Sony World Photography Award, among others.
It has been widely presented in personal and collective exhibitions in various locations including the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo, Paris Photo, PhotoEspana, Auditorium di Roma, Athens Photo Festival.
Ghizzoni is a TEDX speaker and regularly gives lectures in various Italian and European schools and universities. She is co-founder of MAPS Images. In Italy she is represented by MLB Gallery.
Website: www.simonaghizzoni.com
Instagram: @simona.ghizzoni
Photo Essay edited by Alejandra Martínez Moreno
