Relieved and Exhausted Gazans Return Home
After 15 months of brutal war, the silence of the night in Gaza and Israel marks the start of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Thousands of displaced Palestinians have returned to their homes, cautiously rebuilding their shattered lives. As one displaced Gazan, Maisara Abu-Qoush, shared, “Yesterday, there were no warplanes or anything, so we slept comfortably.” However, uncertainty lingers, casting a shadow over the future as families confront the daunting task of rebuilding what’s left.
The Devastation of War
The war has left Gaza in ruins, with over 90% of houses destroyed or damaged since October 2023. The return of Palestinian families to their homes reveals a landscape scarred by the relentless bombing. People trekked through the wreckage, hauling precious belongings on donkey carts, their steps marked by the weight of their experiences. Fatma Hamad, another displaced person from Rafah, expressed the collective sentiment: “We are tired of the bombing. We are humiliated and displaced.”
Aid and Uncertainty
The UN has launched a massive aid effort, with over 630 trucks entering Gaza since the ceasefire took effect. However, the challenge remains immense, with more than 350 years potentially required to rebuild the devastated territory under an Israeli blockade. Amid the uncertainty, Gazans face an uncertain future, with looming questions about governance and reconstruction. The initial phase of the ceasefire deal will last six weeks, with aid deliveries increasing to around 600 trucks a day.
Rebuilding Amid Chaos
As Gazans rebuild, they face not only the physical destruction but also the psychological toll of the war. Aid workers struggle to address the humanitarian needs amidst the chaos, with armed gangs and looting hindering aid distribution. The Israeli authorities have also imposed restrictions on aid delivery and convoy movement, further exacerbating the crisis. Lawlessness and the breakdown of infrastructure have crippled Gaza’s ability to recover, casting a long shadow over its future.
A Fragile Peace
The ceasefire brings temporary relief, but the path to lasting peace remains uncertain. The deal’s initial phase will be tested over the next six weeks, as both sides navigate the complexities of governance, reconstruction, and the release of hostages. The world watches as Gazans take the first tentative steps towards rebuilding, their resilience tempered by the knowledge that the road to recovery will be long and arduous.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Truthout
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