Amid a fragile four-day truce in the Gaza Strip, Palestinians who had fled their homes due to intense shelling by the Israeli military made their way back, only to discover scenes of utter destruction. The ceasefire, which began recently, allowed some residents to return to their neighborhoods in the north and central parts of Gaza. However, instead of finding their homes intact, they were greeted with rubble and debris.
One elderly woman from the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza expressed her devastation, stating, “Our home is destroyed, nothing remains standing. And most of the ducks and chickens were eaten by hungry street dogs. This is not a war; it is a genocide. It’s unprecedented crimes.” The constant, intense shelling forced many residents to seek refuge in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Upon their return, they discovered their homes leveled to the ground, with some finding the remains of the deceased buried under the debris.
Another resident of the camp shared his shock at the extent of the destruction, saying, “Honestly, I never imagined the scale of destruction; not even 1 percent of it. My home was shelled, it suffered damages and is not fit to live in anymore. It must be rebuilt all over again.” Despite the dire conditions, some residents expressed their determination to remain in their homes, as living in overcrowded UN schools would be a greater humiliation.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians have sought shelter in United Nations-run schools since the start of the war. However, these schools have proven to be unsafe, as Israeli attacks targeting them have resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians. The current truce, set to last until Monday, includes the release of imprisoned Palestinians in exchange for Israelis and other nationals held in Gaza. While there are indications that the truce may be extended, Israel and its Western allies have not shown support for a ceasefire in the besieged strip.
One Gaza resident expressed the collective desire for lasting peace, saying, “I hope the ceasefire can last forever. Why? Because we are tired, we are tired of a life like this.” Another displaced Palestinian from Khuza’a in southern Gaza described the immense destruction, stating, “The destruction is very large, tears come down alone. God suffices us, and that’s all I can say.”
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with residents grappling with the aftermath of intense shelling and a lack of resources. As the truce provides temporary relief, the hope for lasting peace and a better future for the people of Gaza remains a top priority.
