Adham Bartawi had returned to his family’s home in northern Gaza, hoping for the best after uprooting for over a year. But when he arrived, he was shocked by the harsh reality that greeted him. Adham, a returnee from Gaza, saw that his house was in ruins, illustrating the extensive devastation that many people encounter when they return.
"Half Our House is Gone": What Did Adham Find Upon His Return?
As he stood among the wreckage of his old house in the northern city of al-Zahra, Adham, 31, expressed his sorrow. His words, “Half our house is gone,” “It appears to have been demolished; the kitchen and living room are gone, along with most of it. Two rooms and one bathroom are all that’s left. He went on to say, “If I leave now, they might be looted,” expressing the hopelessness that many Gaza returnees currently experience.
How Many Gaza Returnees Are Returning to the North?
Since Israel decided to permit displaced residents to return, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, including Adham, have started to move back to the northern part of Gaza. The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which intends to permanently stop the conflict that broke out after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, is what led to this return.
A United Nations official underlined the enormous job of providing necessary services to those returning. According to the official, “there is a massive, massive effort ahead,”
What Is the Extent of the Destruction in Gaza's North?
One man who returned to his home in Jabalia, Imad Ali al-Zain, said he was shocked and incredulous at the devastation. As I make room to set up a tent, you’re talking to me…” Over the phone, the 48-year-old stated, “We are attempting to manage ourselves and find a way to live here.”
He described the psychological effects of witnessing his house destroyed. “On the way back, I was joyful and chanting, but the terrible scene in front of me saddened me when I got home. I wished I hadn’t come.
How Much of Gaza’s Infrastructure Has Been Destroyed?
Since the crisis started in October 2023, the UN believes that almost 70% of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed, with the northern areas suffering the most destruction.
The UN Organization for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza’s acting director, Sam Rose, stated that the population in northern Gaza is predicted to “double in the next few days.”
Why Do Gaza Returnees Continue to Return Despite the Ruin?
Many Gazans who have returned are adamant about going back, even though they know that their homes were probably destroyed or seriously damaged. “What they’re going back to, many of them, are scenes of complete devastation,” Rose stated. “They know before they travel that their homes are likely to be destroyed or severely damaged, but they want to go home anyway.”
Thanks to the truce a week ago, basic humanitarian supplies, such as food, water, and shelter materials, have started reaching the impacted population. Rose did point out that a “massive, massive effort ahead” had to be made to offer these returning families more substantive support.
How Are Gaza Returnees Preparing to Journey Back to the North?
In the days ahead, many people are getting ready to travel the arduous route from southern Gaza to the northern region. While some will try to use vehicles, others will walk.
On the first day of the return, Ihab Qraqeh, a telecom employee displaced since mid-October 2023, returned after waiting to watch the situation. “We are currently preparing to travel after sending several of our family members yesterday. In order to begin packing and leaving, we are awaiting the arrival of the car,” he stated.
What Challenges Do Vulnerable Families Face in the Return Journey?
Some have found the return trip to be too challenging. The 32-year-old Khalil Shabeer was compelled to turn around after he and his heavily pregnant wife had left to head back to the north. “We found it to be too challenging. I was worried that things would get complicated for her. Her pregnancy is eight months along. Shabeer stated, “So we returned [to wait at a relative’s house in central Gaza].”
His narrative sheds light on the additional difficulties faced by families in danger who must choose between the necessity of going back home and the harsh realities of living in a conflict zone.
Conclusion: Can Gaza's People Rebuild Amid the Ruins?
The situation is still precarious as more Gaza returnees get ready to return north. Rebuilding presents enormous logistical problems, and many returning families face homes that are little more than ruins. Even still, there is a great desire to go back home despite the destruction, if only to be surrounded by the memories of a place they used to call home.
Although the UN and other international organizations continue to provide these families with vital relief, the people of Gaza have a long road to recovery, and the full extent of the challenge is only now becoming clear. The importance of the devastation and the need to reconstruct and reestablish connections with houses that have been lost highlight the profound psychological and practical difficulties that Palestinians are confronting in the wake of the conflict.
