In the community of Beit Lahiya, located in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the onset of night casts a deep shadow over the cityscape, characterized by collapsed buildings and piles of debris. Living amidst the ruins, Rawia Tambora’s children feel uneasy when darkness descends, prompting her to use a flashlight and her phone’s light to provide them with some comfort, as long as the battery lasts.
Having been displaced during the prolonged conflict that has lasted over sixteen months, Tambora has returned to what remains of her house. However, the situation remains dire, with no running water, electricity, or essential services making quality of life challenging amid the surrounding debris, which cannot be cleared due to a lack of resources.
An estimated 600,000 Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza following a ceasefire implemented a month ago, as reported by the United Nations. Initially, the return to their homes brought a sense of relief and happiness, even if their homes were damaged or destroyed. Now, they face the stark reality of living in ruins for an undefined period.
Tambora remarked, “Some people wish the war never ceased, feeling it would be preferable to have perished.” She expressed uncertainty about the future, noting, “I don’t know what we’ll do long-term. My brain stopped planning for the future.” The ceasefire, lasting six weeks, is due to expire on Saturday, and the future remains uncertain. Negotiations are in progress to possibly extend this period of relative peace, but should hostilities resume, those who have come back north could find themselves in the crossfire once again.
The task of rebuilding is daunting and has yet to begin in earnest. A recent joint report by the World Bank, the U.N., and the European Union suggests that approximately $53 billion is required to restore Gaza, following extensive destruction by Israeli airstrikes aimed at Hamas militants. Presently, sufficient resources and funds are not available to commence substantial rebuilding efforts. Immediate objectives are to render Gaza habitable. Earlier in February, Hamas issued a warning to halt hostage releases unless more temporary housing and shelters were allowed entry into Gaza. This stance was later retracted, and hostage releases were expedited following an agreement by Israel to permit the importation of mobile homes and construction materials.
Humanitarian groups have intensified their efforts by setting up kitchens offering free meals, water supply stations, and handing out tents and tarps to thousands across Gaza, according to the U.N. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump suggested relocating the entire population of Gaza to facilitate redevelopment by the U.S. This proposal was met with resistance from Palestinians, who prefer assistance to rebuild their own land.
In Gaza City, municipal authorities have begun repairing water lines and clearing debris from the roads, although they face challenges due to a lack of heavy machinery. Only a handful of the initially available bulldozers and dump trucks remain operational. It is estimated by the U.N. that the 50 million tons of rubble present would take a considerable amount of time and resources—100 trucks working at full capacity over a span of 15 years—to clear completely.
Each day is a struggle for those trying to carry on. Tambora’s abode in Beit Lahiya was mostly destroyed by an airstrike earlier in the war, resulting in her family seeking shelter at the nearby hospital where she worked as a nurse. With the advent of the ceasefire, they returned to the only partially intact room in their home. Despite a collapsed ceiling and cracked walls, they make do, although amenities like the refrigerator and sink are unusable without electricity and water. Her son, just twelve years old, hauling water from distribution centers and firewood for cooking, is emblematic of the daily struggles they face.
Although aid has increased availability and lowered prices of food in the markets, costs remain prohibitive. Tambora’s commute to her new workplace, as the Indonesian Hospital is non-operational, involves a long daily walk to Kamal Adwan Hospital, where they also charge their phones.
Many of Tambora’s relatives, upon their return, discovered their homes had been obliterated, forcing them to live in tents susceptible to environmental hardships like winter winds and rain. Similarly, Asmaa Dwaima and her family, upon returning to Gaza City, had to secure a rental as their home was found to be flattened upon inspection. The state of complete ruin took weeks to confront.
According to Dwaima, “I couldn’t come here because I was afraid. I had an image of my house in my mind — its beauty, and warmth. … I was afraid to face this truth,” she shared. The experience is not new for her family, who had to reconstruct their home once before after it was destroyed in 2014 during previous conflict phases.
Describing the escalating desperation in the area, a UNICEF representative who visited northern Gaza post-ceasefire noted that the residents are mourning their previous lives while attempting to adapt. “Their desperation is becoming more intense,” she said.
Meanwhile, Huda Skaik, a student, shares cramped quarters with her family at her grandparents’ home, which, despite being an improvement over the temporary tent camps, signals the dire condition many face. Her education, interrupted by the war, continues online amidst connectivity and power issues. But Huda remains hopeful: “The worst part is that we’re just now grasping that we lost it all,” she said. “The destruction is massive, but I’m trying to remain positive.”
