Challenges Facing Palestinian Returnees: Rebuilding Lives Amid the Rubble in Gaza
The Complex Road to Stability for Displaced Palestinians After Ceasefire in Gaza
Watan-After the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the cessation of Israeli killing machinery, thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning to their towns to assess the remains of their homes destroyed by the brutal aggression and to search for their loved ones trapped under the rubble. However, the return of the displaced is not without complications and difficulties, making the road to stability fraught with danger.
The displaced face significant logistical challenges, including the destruction of roads and streets, which hinders access to their areas in the northern and southern parts of the Gaza Strip. Additionally, many remain fearful of being targeted again by the occupation forces, despite the ceasefire agreement. This fear reflects the ongoing obstacles imposed by the occupation, hindering the return to normal life for Gaza’s residents.
Homes destroyed by the Israeli aggression in the northern parts of the Strip have left returnees without shelter, as many found their homes completely demolished with no basic life necessities. This situation has made the provision of tents and humanitarian aid a top priority to ensure even a partial return for the displaced. However, due to a lack of sufficient resources, this return remains delayed.
The situation is further complicated by the presence of unexploded bombs and missiles left under the rubble by the occupation, in addition to booby-trapped houses, making the return highly risky. This dilemma calls for immediate international intervention to provide the tools and capabilities needed to eliminate these threats and ensure the safety of returnees.
At the same time, many displaced individuals are waiting their turn to return to their homes according to the schedule outlined in the agreement, adding bitterness and anxiety to their daily suffering. This delay exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in the Strip and increases the urgent need for international aid, whether in housing or food.
The return of the displaced represents a significant humanitarian challenge, reflecting the scale of the catastrophe inflicted on Gaza by the occupation. While efforts continue to alleviate their suffering, international and regional support for rebuilding the Strip remains essential to ensure a dignified and safe return for them and to rebuild what the aggression has destroyed.
