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
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I reached the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the first time in 2010, on assignement 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.
Shati Camp. Gaza Strip. 02-04-2011
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. Amal (35) lives in Beit-Lahyia. After the use of white phosporous during the war, the land her family used to cultivate is not giving any harvest. Here she is in the remains of her family house, now reduced to a big room with a zync roof. Beit Lahyia. 03-04-2011
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
Abandoned house in Rafah. Tunnel area. 31-03-2011
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
The funding of this project would help me return to the Gaza Strip on a regular basis for the next year, since I’m planning to follow up with the stories of five of the women I met on my first trip, all of them suffering both physically and psychologically from the traumas they experienced during the war. It would also allow me to start the production of a short documentary about their everyday lives in Gaza, related to the development of the social and political situation in the Strip.
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
Sand storm. Middle Area. Gaza Strip. 12-12-2010.
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
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
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
Outskirts noth of Gaza City, road toward Erez border. Gaza Strip. 21-04-2011. 10:07 a.m.
Sheeps in Beit Lahiyah camp. Gaza Strip. 04-12-2010.
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
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
Abandoned house in Rafah. Tunnel area. 31-03-2011
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
Gaza city beach. Shati Camp. Gaza Strip. 05-04-2010
Bio
Simona Ghizzoni was born in Reggio Emilia, Italy, in 1977.
She studied with Giorgia Fiorio in Reflexions Masterclass and attended the World Press Photo Joop Swart Masterclass.
In 2006 she tied for first prize at the FNAC photo contest, with the work “Scars”, an essay on Sarajevo ten years after the end of the war.
From 2006 to 2010 she worked on the project “Odd Days”, about Eating Disoders.
Awarded with the 3rd prize single portrait at World Press Photo 2008 and PHotoEspaña Ojodepez Award for Human Values in 2009.
Since 2010 she began a long term project about the consequences of war on women’s lives, working on Iraqi refugees in Jordan, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and in Western Sahara, thanks to The Aftermath Project.
With the project “Afterdark”, about the condition of female victims of Cast Lead operation in the Gaza Strip, she was awarded with the 3rd prize Contemporary Isssues at World Press Photo 2012.
Too much post processing for my taste, but heavy post work is the current esthetic, and I acknowledge old guys like me have old ways.
Great images dark to reflect the darkness of the situation. One or two are badly processed and may benefit from revisiting.
Some really fine work here, but doesn’t the sun shine in any of these places ?
CONGRATULATIONS SIMONA:)
Viva bella Italia !!!
I have to agree with Jim here.
Congratulations Simona, this topic is very important to get out there, and there are some wonderful images here. However I must say I feel a bit manipulated by the manipulation.
I guess I pretty much agree with most of what was written above, except as an old guy I still strive to learn and appreciate new ways. Anyway, there are what strike me as some powerful images here, particularly #’s 1, 2, 5, 8, 16 and 17 and I do get the idea that by making them unnaturally dark, the artist is making a statement and trying to force us to either move on and not look at the picture at all or to peer deeper into it and maybe think a little more about it. Yet, I think, for me, the darkness of the situation would come through even stronger without the artificial, highlight suffocating, layer placed on top of them.
Then again, maybe I am being like Jim after all, clinging to my old ways of viewing and thinking, and this effect truly is brilliant after all.
I don’t think so (though I do think some of the photos brilliant at their core), but maybe.
this is a great series, one of my favorites out of all the featured photographers for EFP 2012.
Congratulations Simona!
Very strong essay, both the subject and the images. Yes there is a lot of post-process in there but I think it actually bring a very interesting dimension to this work. I have to say that if well done, post-processing really helps bringing a new look on documentary photography. Although this essay would have been as strong as it is now without the post-process, which is a proof of how good it is.
works well for me there is a great potential of extending……….. hopefully this is done with the minimum support from linear style of text.
Documentary Photography at its best, very good story and certainly superior to most of the disconcerting and introspective stuff that gets published in Burn -not that this has to be necessarily bad, but really, I can relate to (and understand) this story.
About the post-processing… It might be a bit overdone and in my opinion, all of this would have been even better in black and white. Still, I like it.
Simona Ghizzoni and I are now working on a project about violence against Saharawi women. Thanks to The Aftermath Project (a special grant Simona won last year) we traveled in Western Sahara and Saharawi refugee camps in Algeria to collect women stories. Now we’re doing a crowdfunding campaign to be able to produce a documentary, the campaign will end on November 22. Please, have a look and (if you like the project) support us at this website:
http://www.emphas.is/web/guest/discoverprojects?projectID=761
Thank you
Emanuela Zuccalà, journalist, emanuelazuccala.blogspot.it
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