On the first full day of peace in Gaza, after a 15-month war, the streets echoed not with the sounds of bombs but with the cries of grief and loss. Amongst the rubble that once were homes and buildings, rescue workers and civilians faced an overwhelming task – to unearth over 10,000 bodies buried beneath the destruction. The Civil Defence agency in Gaza scrambled to find ways to recover these lost lives within a hundred days.
“In every street there are dead.”
The scene was one of absolute devastation – a cruel aftermath of months of conflict that had torn through the enclave. The United Nations had estimated that about 60% of structures lay damaged or destroyed across Gaza. As Palestinians tried to come to terms with their new reality amidst celebrations for the ceasefire, it was evident that rebuilding their lives would be an arduous journey.
With more than two million people left homeless and reliant on food aid for survival, Gazans welcomed truckloads of essential supplies entering immediately after peace was declared. Yet, this influx marked just the beginning of a larger challenge ahead – rebuilding shattered lives and communities from scratch.
“We’re not just talking about food…”
Sam Rose, acting director of UNRWA in Gaza, emphasized that beyond physical infrastructure like buildings and roads, it was crucial to address the deep emotional scars borne by individuals and families who had endured immeasurable trauma during the conflict period.
While signs of hope flickered as hostages were freed from captivity in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, many families continued to grapple with uncertainty about their missing loved ones trapped under debris. The toll on human life was staggering; tens of thousands perished in bombings while many more were left maimed or wounded.
Palestinian health authorities painted a grim picture, estimating casualties in tens of thousands with a large proportion being women and children. The work carried out by Civil Defence personnel remained somber even after airstrikes ceased – each street held stories of loss waiting to be uncovered.
“There are no doors, no windows…”
Among those displaced was Malaak Kasab, sharing her heart-wrenching account as she awaited news about her family members still buried under ruins. Her home stood damaged but not entirely destroyed; however, basic necessities were scarce as they navigated through uncertain times post-ceasefire.
As Gazans cautiously returned to inspect what remained standing amid widespread destruction, fears loomed overhead regarding a possible collapse of fragile peace agreements. Both sides remained wary as Israel hinted at resuming military action if necessary while emphasizing its right to do so.
Amidst talks at international forums urging compliance with ceasefire obligations and warnings against further escalations in regions like the West Bank due to rising tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinians post-war engagements – uncertainties clouded hopes for lasting peace across afflicted territories.
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