The daunting task of rebuilding Gaza looms large as the estimated cost reaches approximately $53 billion. Following the devastation wrought by Israel's bombardment and offensives against Hamas militants, entire neighborhoods lie in ruins. Over 600,000 Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza under a month-old ceasefire, yet uncertainty clouds their prospects as the six-week ceasefire is set to expire on Saturday. With over 50 million tons of rubble scattered across Gaza, a massive cleanup and reconstruction effort appears insurmountable without significant international support.
The scale of destruction in Gaza is unprecedented. The United Nations estimates that removing the rubble would require 100 trucks working at full capacity for over 15 years. However, with only a handful of Gaza's 40 bulldozers and five dump trucks still operational, the task seems nearly impossible. Humanitarian agencies have intensified their efforts, providing essential services such as free kitchens, water delivery stations, and distributing tents and tarps to hundreds of thousands of affected individuals. Nonetheless, many families continue to live in temporary shelters, exposed to harsh winter winds and rains.
Rawia Tambora, a nurse whose workplace at the Indonesian Hospital has been rendered nonfunctional due to damage, reflects the personal toll of the conflict.
"I don’t know what we’ll do long-term. My brain stopped planning for the future." – Rawia Tambora
Her family has faced this challenge before, having had to rebuild their home once after it was demolished during a previous round of fighting between Israel and Hamas in 2014. The ongoing cycle of destruction has left many grappling with a loss deeper than just physical property.
"They don’t just destroy stone, they are destroying us and our identity." – Rawia Tambora
The municipal authorities in Gaza City have begun making some headway by repairing water lines and clearing rubble from streets. Yet, these efforts hardly scratch the surface of what is needed to restore normalcy. Many families find themselves living atop or adjacent to rubble piles, yearning to recover even basic personal belongings.
"We need to remove the rubble because we want to pull out clothes and some of our belongings," – Rawia Tambora
The psychological impact is profound. Huda Skaik, another resident affected by the destruction, conveys the emotional weight of their predicament.
"The worst part is that we’re just now grasping that we lost it all," – Huda Skaik
Despite the challenges, Skaik maintains a semblance of hope amidst the devastation.
"The destruction is massive, but I’m trying to remain positive." – Huda Skaik
Amidst these efforts, a controversial proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump has surfaced, suggesting the permanent removal of Gaza's population to allow the U.S. to redevelop the territory. This notion has been met with staunch rejection from Palestinians who are determined to rebuild their lives and communities themselves.
The coming days will test the resilience of Gaza's population as the ceasefire deadline approaches. Without a clear path forward, Gazans brace themselves for an uncertain future, caught between the immediate need for humanitarian aid and the long-term vision of reconstruction.
