CAIRO/GAZA. Palestinians in northern Gaza have started setting up tent camps for displaced families expected to return to their home areas on Saturday, as part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
On open land surrounded by the ruins of bombed-out buildings, teams of volunteers erected rows of white tents. These shelters will accommodate families returning under the agreement, which also includes a hostage exchange: Hamas will release a second group of captives, while Israel will free dozens of Palestinian prisoners.
The ceasefire follows a 15-month Israeli military campaign that devastated the Gaza Strip, killing more than 47,000 people, according to local reports. Many of the hundreds of thousands returning to the northern region will find their homes reduced to rubble.
“Is this the tent that we dreamed of? This will have to fit 10 people,” lamented Wael Jundiya, who was preparing a shelter for his children coming from the south. “Really, is this adequate space?”
The challenge of accommodating such a massive influx is daunting. “On Saturday, people will come from the south and flood Gaza (City), where will they go? This camp will fit 100, 200 people. There will be 1.5 million coming from the south,” Jundiya added.
The ceasefire agreement includes specific provisions for the return of displaced families, contingent on the release of hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the northern coastal road.
Hamas announced that people would return on foot along the coastal road, with vehicles subjected to searches at checkpoints. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri confirmed plans for relief efforts, including providing tents and repairing partially damaged homes.
“We are going to invest all our capabilities to help our people. Municipalities have plans in place to welcome the families returning to the north,” Abu Zuhri said.
However, tensions remain high. On Thursday, an Israeli tank shelling killed two Gazans in Rafah, raising concerns about the durability of the ceasefire. The Israeli military stated that the attack targeted an armed individual.
In Jabalia, the largest refugee camp in Gaza and a focal point of Israel’s military campaign, returning families are struggling to survive amidst the wreckage. Many have moved back into destroyed homes, using makeshift bonfires for warmth.
“They are talking about a truce, a ceasefire, and the delivery of aid. It has been three days since we came back, and we cannot find water to drink or covers to keep our children warm,” said Mohammed Badr, a father of 10.
His wife, Umm Nidal, described the devastation: “There is nothing left. Houses collapsed on top of each other. You get lost, you don’t know if this is your home or not. The smell of dead bodies, and the martyrs are in the streets.”
As displaced families prepare to return, the challenges of rebuilding lives amidst widespread destruction underscore the dire humanitarian needs in Gaza. The ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope, but the journey to recovery will be arduous for the residents of this war-torn region.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
