In brief
After 15 months of displacement, Gazans are cautiously returning home, yet they face significant hurdles ahead, from severe infrastructure damage to shortages of essential supplies. While some optimism remains, concerns grow over living conditions and potential for future displacement.
As Gazans begin to return home after 15 months of displacement, the challenges ahead appear daunting. The Gaza Strip, a small territory, holds memories and remnants of lives interrupted by conflict, but the journey back marks the beginning of a prolonged struggle for survival and rebuilding. Gaza journalist Ghada el-Kurd, preparing to return to her northern home, described the stark reality: "We have to re-establish again from the beginning, from zero." Echoing her sentiments, Sam Rose of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, Unrwa, noted that while immediate humanitarian needs are being addressed with increased aid, the long-term situation is grim. "This is a long, long road," he emphasized. The scale of devastation is massive. The UN estimates that approximately 70% of Gaza's buildings have been damaged or destroyed since conflict escalated in October 2023. Areas like Jabaliya, once bustling with life, are now shadows of their former selves. For countless families, living in tents is becoming a harsh reality, showing no sign of relief. The urgent plea for 135,000 tents and caravans illustrates the deepening humanitarian crisis. The influx of returning refugees has created a ripple effect on housing and market systems. As accommodation becomes scarce, families who had been sheltered by friends and relatives face renewed displacement. Asmaa Tayeh described how her building is now inhabited by multiple families, creating tension and diminishing privacy. As supplies dwindle, daily life is becoming increasingly expensive and difficult. Asmaa noted that the prices for essential goods have already begun to spike with the return of population. The scarcity of water and electricity is also expected to worsen with the increase in demand. Despite these overwhelming challenges, many returning Gazans express a sense of hope. One woman shared her joy for returning to her hometown of Beit Hanoun, leaving behind the adversities faced in the south. Yet, the landscape of Beit Hanoun is fundamentally altered, raising concerns over whether recovery will come soon enough to stem a potential exodus of residents seeking refuge elsewhere.In the wider political landscape, the potential displacement of Gazans to neighboring countries like Egypt or Jordan has stirred controversy. Jordanian officials emphasized their concerns over security and social stability amidst such a sudden influx, marking a sharp rebuke to suggestions from figures like Donald Trump. His remarks have been welcomed by some political factions in Israel, increasing fears among Palestinians about their future.As Ghada el-Kurd poignantly states, "If they lost everything and the reconstruction process is delayed, I think people will not stay in Gaza." With 150,000 already having left since the onset of the war, the call for a brighter future within Gaza grows louder, demanding immediate attention from the international community.
