Gazans returning home after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect were met with scenes of staggering destruction, as entire neighborhoods lay in ruins and vital infrastructure had been obliterated by weeks of Israeli military operations.
The ceasefire deal came into effect in the Gaza Strip at 12:00 noon local time (0900 GMT) on Friday, said the Israeli Defense Forces in a statement.
Calm reportedly returned to most areas of the coastal enclave, marking the start of a deal brokered after weeks of negotiations led by Egypt and other international mediators.
In western Gaza City's Nasser District, once a hub of Israeli military activity, displaced residents returned to find their streets and homes reduced to rubble. Following the ceasefire’s announcement and implementation, Israeli forces withdrew, leaving behind scenes of devastation that shocked even longtime locals.
Many broke down in tears, confronting the ruins of houses that once held generations of memories. For countless Palestinians, the destruction was not just physical, it was a shattering of family, history, and hope.
"I couldn't hold back my tears the moment I stepped onto the rubble. The house was our life and all we had. People cannot live without a home. We have suffered all the humiliation and even death. What can we do? This is a disaster for us and our life will never be restored to what it was," said Nader Emad, a local.
Other locals said they believe the Israeli military operation aims at destroying Gaza.
"The region was completely destroyed. There is barely any building still standing, no food, and no water. I have been searching for drinking water since yesterday. People returned to the homeland but couldn't find their homes. The Israeli army came not to fight a war but to destroy everything, including trees, houses and stones. They came not to search for the so-called resistance organization but to destroy Gaza," said Ali Baddah, another resident of Gaza City.
The house of Musa Al-Ghafri, another local, was reduced to rubbles in Israeli bombardment just hours before the ceasefire agreement came into effect.
"What we saw on arrival is exactly what you can see right now. We returned immediately after knowing the Israeli army had withdrawn, but what we saw broke our hearts. This was one of the most beautiful communities, but now it was reduced to rubble," he said.
Gazans return to shattered homes as ceasefire takes effect in war-torn enclave
Gazans return to shattered homes as ceasefire takes effect in war-torn enclave
