DaysofPal- Across the entire Gaza Strip, from food distribution points to water filling stations and essential service hubs, long queues have become a permanent fixture of daily life. These lines are no longer just a means to access scarce goods; they have transformed into an inescapable lifestyle that begins at dawn every day. Since the intensification of the blockade and the ongoing military aggression, families crowd together for hours in hopes of securing basic necessities.
Different Lines, Same Struggle
Abu al-Bara, a father of five who was displaced from the Jabalia camp to the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, stands in a long line waiting to fill a container with fresh water. He explains that they stand there from the early morning without knowing when they will actually receive water, noting that the queue has simply become part of their daily routine.
In another location, Abu Musab, an Arabic language teacher, waits in a line stretching over 200 meters in front of a World Food Programme distribution center. He remarks that waiting has become the “secret code” for obtaining anything in Gaza. According to him, it is impossible to acquire even the simplest essentials without enduring crowded lines that often last for many hours.
Nearby, an elderly man named Abu Hamada sits away from the crowd, looking exhausted. He explains that while he is forced to come for supplies, he lacks the physical strength to stand for such extended periods. Instead, he brings one of his sons to hold his place, only stepping into the line himself when they are close to the delivery point.
At a bakery, a young man named Mohammed sums up the situation succinctly, stating that they spend hours waiting just to eat or drink. To him, the act of waiting is not merely waiting; it has become their entire existence.
Severe Psychological and Social Impacts
The constant pressure of long waits leaves a clear psychological mark. The persistent anxiety of potentially leaving empty-handed, combined with the disruption of work and education, weighs heavily on individuals and families. Mental health experts suggest that this repetitive experience creates a state of general frustration and erodes the sense of daily security for both children and adults.
Psychologists argue that waiting under conditions of extreme uncertainty does more than fatigue the body; it leaves deep scars on mental health. Kate Sweeny, a professor of psychology at the University of California who researches stress and waiting, confirms that uncertainty raises stress and anxiety levels. The brain treats the unknown as a psychological threat, a phenomenon known as anticipatory anxiety. The state of not knowing when the wait will end becomes a direct source of tension for the nervous system.
David Maister, an expert in the psychology of queuing, points out that the most damaging aspect is not the duration of the wait itself but the lack of a known endpoint. This creates a feeling of helplessness and a loss of control.
Furthermore, Dr. Gordon Asmundson, a specialist in post-traumatic stress disorder, suggests that remaining in a high-stress state while waiting for survival necessities mimics a chronic anxiety response. Over time, the brain begins to associate waiting with danger, increasing the likelihood of chronic stress disorders among the population.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=73803
