Nov. 20, 2013 | Al Jazeera English
Closure of 'lifeline' tunnels means fuel shortages, power cuts, and sewage on the streets.
AL-SABRA, GAZA STRIP - Sami Haddad waded through ankle-deep sewage after a lack of electricity caused pumps at a wastewater treatment plant to break down. Around him there was a sense of panic with men shouting at each other and children crying.
The streets were dark and people edged along the walls covering their noses with one hand and holding their mobile phones in the other, using them as torch lights to find a dry spot to step.
"We're covered in filth from the sewage. The children are scared and we do not know what to do," Haddad told Al Jazeera.
"We have asked the government to do something, but they say there is no more fuel. We ask for help from anywhere. If the pumps don't start again, the sewage seeps into people's homes and their lives are in danger."