The end of a brutal conflict brought a fragile sense of relief to Gaza, but the joy of a ceasefire quickly gave way to despair for thousands of Palestinians returning to scenes of unimaginable destruction. For many, the devastation left behind by the 15-month conflict between Israel and Hamas is a harsh reality they are now forced to confront.
Returning to Ruins
On foot and in rickshaws, countless Palestinians made their way back to neighbourhoods that were once bustling with life but now lay in ruins. The truce, which began with the exchange of prisoners, was initially a source of hope. However, that hope quickly faded as families saw the extent of the damage. Many were unable to recognize where their homes once stood, forcing them to seek refuge in tents or among the wreckage of their former lives.
Walaa El-Err, a Palestinian woman from Nuseirat, a refugee camp in central Gaza, recounted her heartbreak. “We are cleaning the house and removing the rubble so we can return home. Those are the quilts and pillows; nothing was left at the house,” she explained. Standing amidst the rubble, she pointed to what remained of her belongings, a stark reminder of the life she had lost.
El-Err described the moment she returned to her neighborhood as indescribable, marked by a mix of grief and determination. She had stayed awake the night before the ceasefire, clinging to the possibility of a new beginning. However, her optimism waned as she surveyed the destruction, lamenting the loss of a once-thriving community.
A City in Shambles
In Gaza City, the capital of the coastal enclave, the scene was similarly bleak. Abla, a mother of three, cautiously waited a few hours after the truce took effect before venturing back to her home in the Tel Al-Hawa suburb. Her seven-story building, a place where she had created countless memories with her children, had been completely leveled.
“The area was hit hard, but I was driven by both doubt and hope that our home might have been spared,” Abla shared. The reality was worse than she imagined. Her home, which she called a “box of memories,” had been reduced to rubble, leaving her to mourn the loss of everything she held dear.
The Immense Challenge of Rebuilding
The scope of the destruction in Gaza is staggering. A United Nations damage assessment estimates that clearing the more than 50 million tonnes of rubble left in the aftermath of Israeli bombardment could take 21 years and cost up to $1.2 billion. Adding to the complexity, some of the debris is believed to be contaminated with asbestos, posing significant health risks.
The refugee camps, which have grown into urban centers since the 1940s, are among the hardest-hit areas. Gaza’s health authorities report that at least 47,000 people lost their lives during the conflict, and thousands more remain buried under the rubble. The United Nations Development Programme noted that the war has set back development in Gaza by seven decades, underscoring the long-term impact on the region.
Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, described the dire situation during a press briefing. “They are able to return home… It’s a bit of a stretch of the imagination to call it homes because mostly, particularly in the north, it’s mountains of rubble that they find. So they need help with that,” he explained.
Searching for the Dead
Amid the devastation, the search for bodies continues. Palestinian rescue workers have recovered at least 150 bodies since the truce began, but an estimated 10,000 remain buried beneath the debris. The civil emergency service has called for heavy machinery to expedite the extraction process, which is expected to take several months.
Shocking images of decayed bodies have surfaced on social media, highlighting the grim reality faced by families searching for their loved ones. In Shejaia cemetery, flattened by Israeli tanks and bulldozers, men like Atef Jundiya are digging for graves.
“I have been searching and looking for my father’s grave, my brother’s grave, and my brother’s wife’s grave, and I can’t find them,” Jundiya said. The tragedy of the situation is compounded by the sense of uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire. “We are relieved by the ceasefire, but at the same time, we are still searching for our martyrs and our graves and can’t find them,” he added.
The Human Cost
The psychological toll on the people of Gaza is immeasurable. Families are grappling with the loss of loved ones, the destruction of their homes, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. The trauma of living through the conflict and its aftermath has left deep scars on the community.
For those who have returned, rebuilding their lives seems an insurmountable task. Many have set up tents next to the rubble of their homes or moved into partially destroyed buildings, clinging to the hope that reconstruction efforts will begin soon. However, with limited resources and an uncertain political climate, the road to recovery remains fraught with challenges.
International Response and Aid
The international community has pledged support for Gaza, but the scale of the rebuilding effort requires significant coordination and funding. Humanitarian organizations are working to provide immediate relief, including food, shelter, and medical aid, but the long-term needs of the region are vast.
Reconstruction efforts will need to address not only the physical rebuilding of homes and infrastructure but also the emotional and psychological well-being of the population. Investment in education, healthcare, and economic development will be crucial to help Gaza recover and thrive in the years to come.
Looking Ahead
As Gaza begins the long process of rebuilding, the resilience of its people shines through. Despite the immense challenges, they are determined to rebuild their lives and their communities. The ceasefire has provided a glimmer of hope, but the road ahead is long and uncertain.
The situation in Gaza serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of conflict and the urgent need for lasting peace. For the people of Gaza, the dream of a brighter future remains a powerful motivator as they work to rebuild their lives from the ashes of war.
