A new survey revealed a deep crisis of confidence among the elderly residing in the settlements surrounding the Gaza Strip, as the overwhelming majority of them believe that Israel is not prepared to protect them or provide an adequate response to their needs, whether during wars and emergencies or in daily life.
According to a report by journalist Rami Shani, in the Israeli newspaper “Maariv”, a survey was conducted last month by the “Geocartography” company for the “Matav” Association, and included 407 elderly citizens residing in the Gaza envelope settlements, aged 65 years and above.
The results of the survey presented a disturbing picture of the reality in which these people live, after participants expressed their belief that Israel is not prepared to protect the population, and is also unable to give them an appropriate response in emergency situations, such as war, launching missiles, or having to evacuate homes.
The results showed that an absolute majority of elderly people in the region feel that the state does not provide them with an adequate response, whether during normal circumstances or in times of emergency.
85% of respondents believed that the state is not prepared to deal with emergencies, while 77% said that they feel “invisible” on the authorities’ list of priorities, and that their needs are not adequately responded to.
In a further indication of the depth of the loss of trust, only 10% of participants believed that the elderly were given the place they deserved within government policies.
More than half of those surveyed considered that the conditions of the elderly had worsened in recent years, while only 14% said that their conditions had improved.
The survey also addressed the issues that the elderly in the Gaza Strip believe the government should address with the highest priority.
83% of participants indicated that increasing financial allocations should be high on the priority list, followed by confronting the high cost of living, expanding nursing care services, reducing waiting periods for medical services, combating loneliness, and enhancing personal security.
When examining participants’ opinions regarding the state’s ability to provide the necessary response in hours of emergency, it was found that only 15% believe that it is prepared to do so.
Matav Association Director General Lior Strasberg said: “This poll is a wake-up call for decision-makers, and it sets a direction for the important policies and steps that the state must adopt and work to move forward.”
Strasberg pointed out that there are currently more than a million elderly citizens, pointing out that the state itself has identified preparation for population aging as a strategic goal, something also indicated in the state comptroller’s report.
He added: “The report indicates that there are wide gaps between needs and the existing reality. “We must begin to move from statements to action, and ensure every senior citizen has the ability to age in dignity and safety within their community.”
These numbers reveal that the crisis for the elderly in the Gaza Strip is not limited to fear of war or evictions, but rather extends to an accumulated feeling that they are outside the state’s accounts in times of emergency and on normal days alike.
