The initial relief experienced by thousands of Palestinian families returning from southern to northern Gaza, sparked by a ceasefire, has quickly transformed into a harsh reality. As they confront the remnants of their once-vibrant communities—now reduced to bombed-out shells—despair creeps in, casting a long shadow over their hopes for a quick recovery.
One of the immediate challenges is the acute shortage of running water. Families are now forced to stand in long lines for hours, filling plastic containers for drinking and hygiene. It’s hard to imagine that something as basic as water could become a luxury, yet here, it has become a daily struggle.
Most homes, mere heaps of debris stretching as far as the eye can see, offer little solace for returnees. They rummage through the ruins to salvage whatever materials they can to fashion makeshift tents. This desperate ingenuity hasn’t come without a price; nighttime brings an oppressive darkness to residential districts devastated by airstrikes. The absence of electricity, coupled with dwindling fuel supplies to power backup generators, intensifies the sense of isolation and despair.
Amidst this chaos, one family’s plight stands out. Fahad Abu Jalhoum, his wife and children, once returned to their homeland in Jabalia from Al Mawasi in the south. Yet the horror of what awaited them was too overwhelming. “It’s just ghosts without souls in the north,” he lamented. “We all missed the north, but when I saw the destruction, I was in shock. I have returned to the south until relief comes—if it ever does.”
The Hamas authorities have reported that most of the 650,000 displaced individuals previously fleeing from northern Gaza have now re-entered Gaza City and its outskirts. They moved back from less ravaged areas, believing it was time to regain their footing. Some traversed as much as 20 kilometers along the devastated coastal highway—an arduous journey marked by fear and uncertainty.
A Hamas official recently disclosed that the aid entering Gaza post-ceasefire has been significantly less than what was stipulated in the negotiations. While they anticipated receiving 135,000 tents to accommodate the displaced, only a scant 2,000 have arrived since the cessation of hostilities began on January 19. As he anxiously pointed out, efforts to rehabilitate critical infrastructures like hospitals and bakeries, which were severely damaged during the conflict, have yet to commence. He emphasized the urgency to ensure the continuous flow of aid; without it, the fragile nature of the truce could be threatened.
In response, a spokesperson for COGAT, the Israeli defense agency that coordinates with Palestinians, claims that tens of thousands of tents have indeed entered Gaza since the ceasefire took effect. They assert that gas and fuel deliveries are being made daily, fully compliant with the agreements set forth.
The ceasefire agreement includes a framework for the release of 33 hostages held by militant groups in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, many serving life sentences in Israeli jails. Should negotiations progress smoothly, a second phase beginning February 4 aims to facilitate the release of over 60 additional hostages and outline a complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.
However, even as these negotiations unfold, the path to peace remains laden with challenges. An end to the fighting is crucial, not just for the immediate cessation of violence, but also for addressing the monumental task of rebuilding Gaza. The Israeli offensive has wrought unimaginable devastation, with nearly 47,000 Palestinian lives reportedly claimed, according to local health officials. The toll of such violence lays heavy on the landscape and psyche of the populace.
This catastrophic cycle of violence began with a Hamas-led assault in southern Israel, which claimed around 1,200 Israeli lives and resulted in over 250 individuals being taken hostage. The ripples of this conflict extend far beyond statistics; they resonate deeply in the lives of those left behind.
In Jabalia, heart-wrenching stories emerge as families seek closure amid the ruins of their former lives. Khamis Amara bravely returned to scour the disaster site where his home once stood, searching for the bodies of his father and brother, part of the estimated 10,000 individuals missing and presumed dead in Gaza. “I was once under the rubble with them. I made it out, but they didn’t,” he reflected with a heavy heart. “Life here is unbearable. Honestly, it feels like a lie. Those who fled to the south should stay there—it is better for them.”
In the face of such overwhelming adversity, hope flickers uncertainly. Can a return to peace lead to healing, or are they trapped in a cycle of despair? The journey ahead is fraught with challenges, yet the spirit of the Palestinian people endures, marked by resilience and an unyielding quest for a brighter future.
Report By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
