KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Following the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Palestinians in the heavily damaged Gaza Strip began their journey back to what remains of their homes. Even before the agreement was fully put into action on Sunday, the urgency to return was palpable among those who had sought refuge elsewhere during the prolonged conflict.
Majida Abu Jarad quickly packed her family’s belongings from their tent in Muwasi, a makeshift settlement north of the southern border with Egypt. Originally from Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, Abu Jarad and her family were compelled to abandon their home at the war’s outset. They used to gather comfortably at their kitchen table or on the roof in the evenings, enveloped by the scents of roses and jasmine. Sadly, that house is now a memory, and for over a year, she, her husband, and their six daughters have made numerous treks across the Strip, forced to evacuate repeatedly by Israeli military orders. Each escape altered their lives significantly, as they often slept in crowded classrooms, searched for water in sprawling tent camps, or even slept in the streets.
As the ceasefire was declared, her family started contemplating their return, albeit to a home that may no longer exist, eager to reconnect with relatives waiting in the north. “As soon as we heard about the truce, we began packing and deciding what belongings to take, showing little concern about still living in tents,” Abu Jarad explained.
The violent hostilities began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, most of whom were civilians. They also abducted about 250 people, with around 100 hostages still believed to be in Gaza, of whom a significant number are thought to have perished. In retaliation, Israel has conducted extensive military operations in Gaza, which have claimed the lives of over 46,000 Palestinians, including many women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The true number of combatants lost remains unclear. The Israeli military claims to have eliminated over 17,000 militants, although no substantiating evidence has been presented.
The bombardment has devastated vast areas of Gaza, displacing approximately 1.9 million of its 2.3 million residents. Even before the ceasefire took effect, many were seen navigating through the debris of their former neighborhoods, some travelling on foot while others used carts to transport their belongings.
“They’re going back to find their loved ones trapped beneath the rubble,” stated Mohamed Mahdi, a father of two displaced children. Mahdi had to abandon his three-story home in the southeast Zaytoun neighborhood of Gaza City a few months prior. On Sunday morning, he walked through the ruins from western Gaza to reach his dwelling. He witnessed police forces directed by Hamas deployed throughout Gaza City, helping people as they returned home.
Despite the extensive destruction and uncertain rebuilding efforts, “people were celebrating,” Mahdi recounted. “They were happy, starting to clear the streets and removing debris from their homes. This is a moment they have yearned for over the past 15 months.”
Um Saber, a 48-year-old widow and mother of six, made her way back to Beit Lahiya, asking to be referred to only by her family title to maintain her safety. She shared that her family encountered corpses on their way home, some lying in the open for an extended period. Upon reaching Beit Lahiya, they discovered their home and much of the area utterly destroyed. Some families began digging through the rubble in search of missing members, while others attempted to clear space to set up temporary shelters. Among the devastation, Um Saber reported that the local Kamal Adwan hospital had been annihilated.
“It’s been completely obliterated,” she lamented. “There’s no sign it ever functioned as a hospital.” The medical facility had been targeted repeatedly over recent months during Israeli offensives against Hamas fighters believed to be regrouping in the northern region. Hospital officials have denied claims of Hamas operations within its premises.
In the southern city of Rafah, returning residents were confronted with widespread destruction in an area that had previously provided refuge for families fleeing bombardments from other parts of Gaza. Some individuals stumbled upon human remains nestled between the debris and streets. “The scene is indescribable. It feels like stepping into a horror film,” noted Mohamed Abu Taha, who was assessing the ruins of his family’s home in Rafah’s Salam neighborhood. “Everything is flattened, and there are remains scattered all around.” He shared video footage showing the remains of what used to be his family’s residence, questioning how it had been reduced to rubble.
As families initiate their returns, uncertainty looms over whether the ceasefire will lead to lasting peace, how the territory will be governed, and the processes necessary for reconstruction. Not every displaced person can immediately go back home. Based on the ceasefire agreement, individuals will only be permitted to cross a designated corridor from south to north beginning one week after the ceasefire started, with long wait times anticipated for those looking to rebuild.
According to United Nations reports, reconstruction in Gaza could take upwards of 350 years, particularly if the Israeli blockade continues. Satellite imagery analysis from last month indicated that around 69% of Gaza’s infrastructure is either damaged or destroyed, which includes over 245,000 residences. With over 100 trucks working continuously, clearing away debris alone could require more than 15 years.
However, many families prefer to focus on the present relief rather than future uncertainties. “We’ll be living in a tent, but at least the immediate suffering will cease, bringing an end to the fear, allowing us to sleep in peace,” Abu Jarad expressed.
