On August 8, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the military to "take over" Gaza City and surrounding areas. The move quickly drew widespread condemnation from the international community and heightened concerns over an already dire humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

Badr Abu Aslih told CGTN Stringer that since Israel announced its plan for a "full takeover" of the Gaza Strip, the situation there has completely collapsed. Meanwhile, Saadi Saeed Karim said, "I will not leave my home, I am here in my house. We left once, and we will not do it again. Death at home is better than death in the streets."