Palestinians Return to Gaza to Find Their Homes in Ruins
Despite a ceasefire bringing temporary relief, displaced families face the harsh reality of destruction and loss.
TEL AVIV — Thousands of displaced Palestinians returned to northern Gaza this week, only to find their homes obliterated, reduced to charred rubble and twisted debris after more than a year of war.
"Everything is destroyed. Nothing remains," said Asma Qaoud, standing amid the wreckage of the Jabalia refugee camp. For Qaoud, like many others, the war has taken more than just her home—she returned to find her brother dead, his body recovered from the rubble. Meanwhile, her husband remains in Israeli custody, leaving her uncertain about where to go next.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which came into effect on Sunday, has brought a temporary halt to Israel’s 15-month-long military offensive. The truce has allowed for the release of hostages held by Hamas as well as Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. However, for the nearly 1.9 million displaced Palestinians, returning home has been met with devastation.
A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
The war has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, with the United Nations estimating that 60% of homes, schools, and hospitals have been destroyed. According to the Gaza Civil Defense, 66 bodies were pulled from the rubble across the enclave on Monday alone.
More than 47,000 people have been killed in the conflict, according to local health officials. However, researchers warn that the true number is likely much higher, as thousands remain buried under the debris.
Israel launched its offensive in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks, which Israeli officials say killed 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken. While over 90 hostages remain captive in Gaza, the ceasefire agreement led to the release of three Israeli hostages on Sunday—Doron Steinbrecher, 31, Emily Damari, 28, and Romi Gonen, 24. In exchange, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners, all of whom were women or teenagers.
Aid Flows Into Gaza, But Challenges Remain
While the ceasefire has allowed hundreds of trucks carrying aid to enter Gaza, the humanitarian crisis remains dire. On Sunday, 600 trucks delivered aid and commercial supplies, followed by 900 trucks on Monday, according to UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees.
"Significant progress has been made," said Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s communications director. However, she emphasized that more aid is urgently needed to help displaced families survive.
As Palestinians return to flattened neighborhoods, uncertainty looms. Many have nowhere to sleep, no access to clean water or medical care, and little hope of rebuilding their lives anytime soon.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres called the ceasefire a "ray of hope," urging for a permanent end to the conflict and the release of all remaining hostages.
For now, however, Palestinians who have returned home are faced with the painful realization that their homes no longer exist—and that their struggle for survival is far from over.