"With ceasefire facilitating returns, many Palestinians find their homes in ruins, confronting a daunting path to rebuilding amidst widespread devastation."
"Devastation Unveiled: Palestinians Return to Northern Gaza Amid Destruction"
"Devastation Unveiled: Palestinians Return to Northern Gaza Amid Destruction"
"After months of displacement, Palestinians face the grim reality of their homes' destruction as they return to northern Gaza."
Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are making their way back to northern Gaza, only to be met with the shocking reality of their destroyed homes. Adham Bartawi, a 31-year-old resident of al-Zahra, described his experience after returning to the remains of his family home: “Half our house is gone. It looks like it was bulldozed.” He expressed concerns about potential looting, as only minimal parts of his home remain intact.
This return follows a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel aimed at ending the conflict that erupted after attacks on October 7, 2023. Despite the grave circumstances, many are resolute in their quest to return. A UN official highlighted the massive challenges ahead in providing essential services to those returning to the devastation.
Some returning residents, like 48-year-old Imad Ali al-Zain, found their expectations of homecoming marred by despair. “I wished I'd never come,” he lamented while clearing space for a tent. UN estimates indicate that as much as 70% of Gaza’s buildings have been severely damaged or destroyed during the conflict.
Sam Rose, acting director of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza, noted the increasing demand for resources as population numbers rise, predicting a potential doubling of the population in northern Gaza in the coming days. While aid is slowly trickling in since the ceasefire began, the scale of the recovery effort is immense.
Others are preparing their return journeys, eager to reunite with family despite fears for their safety and wellbeing. Khalil Shabeer, weighted down by worries for his pregnant wife, reflected on the struggles of the journey back. As they wait for the right moment to return, many displaced individuals are ultimately driven by the longing to reclaim their homes, even amidst the ruins of their past lives.
