Celebrations quickly turned to grief in Gaza. The second day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas revealed the devastating scale of destruction. Palestinians began searching for thousands of loved ones still buried under rubble.
10,000 missing under rubble
“We are searching for 10,000 martyrs whose bodies remain under the rubble,” said Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Emergency Services. He added that at least 2,840 bodies had been completely incinerated, leaving no trace.
15 months of war’s toll
The conflict left Gaza in ruins. The 15-month-long war has been catastrophic for the enclave. According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 47,000 Palestinians were killed. The war began after a Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and saw around 250 hostages taken into Gaza.
Families torn apart
Mohamed Gomaa, a displaced Gazan, lost his brother and nephew in the war. “It’s not like an earthquake or a flood. What happened is a war of extermination,” he said. Many Gazans echoed his sentiments as they returned to scenes of unimaginable devastation.
With the ceasefire in place, aid trucks have started flowing into Gaza. The deal includes 600 trucks of aid daily for the initial six-week truce, with 50 carrying much-needed fuel. Half of these are destined for the northern regions, where famine looms.
Residents flocked to markets. Displaced woman Aya Mohammad-Zaki expressed relief at falling prices. “The war is over, and the crossing is open to more goods,” she said.
For now, the ceasefire appears to be holding. However, isolated incidents persist. Medics reported eight people hit by Israeli fire in Rafah on Monday. The Israeli military claimed it fired warning shots at suspects approaching troops near ceasefire zones.
Hostages and reunions
The truce saw some hostages and detainees freed. Emily Damari, a British-Israeli citizen, was among those released. She shared her joy on Instagram. “I have returned to life,” she wrote.
In the West Bank, Nidaa Zaghebi reunited with her children after years of separation. Her daughters wept as they embraced her. “Motherhood overcomes all other feelings,” she said.
Rebuilding Gaza will take decades. A UN damage assessment estimates clearing 50 million tons of rubble could take 21 years and cost $1.2 billion. Contaminants like asbestos make the task even more daunting.
A UN official stated that Gaza’s development has been set back by 69 years. Homes could take until 2040 to rebuild, but the timeline could stretch far longer.
Israel’s goals
Israel claims the war aimed to eradicate Hamas and destroy its underground tunnel network. However, the cost of this operation has left Gaza facing one of its darkest chapters in history.
Palestinians are left to pick up the pieces. The sorrow of loss mingles with the daunting challenge of rebuilding. While aid brings some relief, the road to recovery remains uncertain and fraught with challenges.
