KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — As the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas began to take effect on Sunday, residents of the heavily damaged Gaza Strip wasted no time returning to what is left of their homes after enduring 15 months of war.
Majida Abu Jarad hurriedly packed belongings from her family’s temporary shelter in Muwasi, a tent city located just north of Gaza’s border with Egypt.
Initially displaced from their home in Beit Hanoun, a town in northern Gaza, the family had cherished moments gathered around the kitchen table or enjoying summer nights on the roof, surrounded by the fragrance of blooming roses and jasmine before the war took everything from them.
During the conflict, Majida, her husband, and their six daughters experienced seven evacuations, each time feeling a growing sense of disorientation as they sought refuge among strangers in crowded classrooms, while scavenging for water in expansive tent camps or resorting to sleeping outdoors.
Now they were ready to venture back to whatever remains of their home, eager to reunite with relatives who stayed behind in the north.
“We started packing our bags as soon as the truce was announced. We didn’t care about continuing to live in tents,” Abu Jarad remarked.
The violence erupted when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, many of whom were civilians, in addition to taking around 250 hostages. Reports indicate that about 100 hostages are still held within Gaza, with many presumed dead.
The Israeli military’s response to this attack has resulted in extensive destruction throughout Gaza, displacing around 1.9 million of its 2.3 million residents.
The Health Ministry in Gaza has reported that over 46,000 Palestinians have died, with women and children constituting more than half of the casualties, though the ministry does not specify civilian versus militant deaths.
The Israeli military claims to have killed over 17,000 militants, yet has not provided any substantiated evidence for these numbers.
As the ceasefire was set to officially commence, many Palestinians began traversing the devastated landscape, some on foot, while others transported their possessions via donkey carts.
Mohamed Mahdi, a father of two who had been displaced, described the scene: “They’re going back to find their loved ones beneath the rubble.” Recently forced out of his home in the Zaytoun district of Gaza City, he managed to navigate his way back amidst the destruction.
He noticed members of the Hamas-operated police force assisting returning residents in the streets of Gaza City.
Despite the overwhelming devastation and the uncertain future concerning reconstruction, Mahdi noted, “People were celebrating. They began clearing streets and moving rubble from their homes. It’s a moment they have been waiting for over 15 months.”
Um Saber, a widow and mother of six, ventured back to her hometown of Beit Lahiya. Preferring anonymity for security reasons, she spoke about the grim discoveries made during her return.
She reported seeing bodies, some seemingly decomposed after being exposed for weeks, littered along the route as they approached their hometown.
Upon arrival, Um Saber found her home and the surrounding area reduced to ruins, prompting families to immediately start sifting through debris in search of missing loved ones or attempting to create makeshift living spaces for themselves.
Among the wreckage, she found the Kamal Adwan Hospital irreparably destroyed.
“It’s not a hospital anymore,” she stated. “They’ve obliterated everything.”
The hospital had been struck multiple times as the Israeli forces conducted efforts targeting Hamas fighters believed to be regrouping in northern Gaza.
The military maintains that its operations targeted militant activity within the hospital, an assertion denied by hospital officials.
In Rafah, another city in Gaza’s south, residents returned to find widespread devastation where once stood a haven for displaced families. Recovering remains amid debris became a grim reality.
“It’s like something straight out of a horror film,” said Mohamed Abu Taha, a resident of Rafah, as he and his brother examined the remains of their family home.
“Flattened buildings, human remains, skulls, and other body parts strewn about,” he lamented, adding footage of what used to be his family’s residence.
The return of families coincides with significant apprehension about whether the ceasefire will provide enduring peace, who will govern the ravaged region, and how it will be rebuilt.
Under the ceasefire terms, the movement of displaced individuals back home will be restricted initially to the Netzarim corridor. Only after a week can civilians cross from south to north on foot without undergoing searches.
Rami Nofal, who is currently sheltering in Deir al-Balah, expressed hope for a lasting ceasefire, stating, “We want to return home and our children to their schools.”
Those returning may face extensive delays in rebuilding their damaged homes.
The United Nations noted that full reconstruction could take centuries if Gaza continues experiencing an Israeli blockade. Recent satellite assessments have indicated that a staggering 69% of structures in Gaza have incurred damage, including over 245,000 homes. Clearing the debris alone could take over 15 years with the limited resources available, as only 100 trucks are currently operational.
Yet, for countless families, the immediate relief of returning home outweighs the apprehensions regarding their future.
“Even if we are in a tent, at least the bleeding will stop, the fear will end, and we can sleep in peace,” Abu Jarad concluded.