Struggles Ahead: Gaza Begins Its Rebuilding Journey

Gaza has begun its difficult journey towards recovery after months of displacement, but the humanitarian needs and challenges ahead are substantial.

As Gazans cautiously return home after 15 months of displacement, the realities of rebuilding their lives amid destruction become painfully clear. The Gaza Strip, though small, remains in ruins, and the journey home is mired in uncertainty. Ghada el-Kurd, a Gazan journalist, poignantly describes the situation: "We have to re-establish again from the beginning, from zero." This sentiment echoes across the population, which faces a dire lack of basic services like water, electricity, and safe shelter. Although UN aid is streaming in at unprecedented levels to address immediate post-war needs, long-term recovery remains an elusive goal.

The UN's Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, is working to supply essential items such as food and hygiene products, but amid widespread devastation, the immediate needs are still overwhelming. Reports indicate that approximately 70% of the Gaza Strip’s infrastructure has been severely damaged or destroyed, particularly in the northern regions. Jabaliya, with a pre-war populace of around 200,000, has been nearly obliterated.

For those who stayed in the north, the return of displaced families from the south exacerbates already tense living conditions. As the search for shelter intensifies, families like that of Asmaa Tayeh are accommodating multiple households in one space, causing friction due to limited resources.

Economic pressures are surfacing as well. The returnees are confronting inflation in food prices and increased demand for already scarce water and electricity supplies. Despite these challenges, many returning residents express relief at being back in their communities, with a profound hope for better days ahead. Reports from Beit Hanoun reflect a sense of bittersweet excitement, as residents grapple with the reality of what has been lost.

International reactions to the plight of Gazans vary dramatically. A suggestion from former President Donald Trump about moving Palestinians to neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan was met with swift rejection, highlighting the complex geopolitical considerations at play. Local officials in these countries emphasize their intent to take care of their people, while Zionist political circles within Israel have shown a willingness to embrace such ideas as part of larger territorial ambitions.

As the reconstruction of Gaza begins, uncertainty looms large. Observers like Ghada el-Kurd indicate that if the region cannot offer a viable future soon, a mass exodus of those who can afford to leave may occur. With around 150,000 already having departed since the conflict erupted in October 2023, the hope for Gaza’s swift recovery hangs precariously in the balance. "People deserve a better life," she asserts, echoing the aspirations of her community for rebuilding their homeland.