Palestinians Return to Gaza City to Unimaginable Desolation After Ceasefire

Tens of thousands of Palestinians are returning to Gaza City and its surrounding areas following a ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025. Their homecoming reveals a landscape of utter devastation, with neighborhoods obliterated and homes reduced to rubble. Many families are now forced to camp amidst the ruins of their former lives. The scale of destruction is likened to a "nuclear bomb" having hit, as residents struggle to comprehend the obliteration. Large swathes of northern Gaza have been flattened, leaving communities erased and familiar landmarks unrecognizable. This widespread damage has left families with an agonizing choice: stay in the shattered remnants of their homes or return to overcrowded southern camps. Gaza City and its governorate have been particularly hard-hit, with approximately 74 to 92 percent of buildings scarred or destroyed. This extensive damage includes residential structures, critical infrastructure, and public services, creating an unprecedented humanitarian crisis for the returning population. The immediate challenges are immense, encompassing a severe lack of basic necessities such as clean water, electricity, and food. Many returning families find themselves without shelter, facing the harsh realities of winter approaching in inadequate conditions. The emotional and psychological toll on these families is profound, as they sift through debris for any trace of their past. Suhair al-Absi, a 50-year-old mother of seven, described not even recognizing her neighborhood, stating, "The destruction here is beyond imagination, something the mind cannot grasp." Humanitarian aid, though increased since the ceasefire, remains insufficient to meet the overwhelming needs of Gaza's 2.1 million people. Aid agencies report significant obstacles and restrictions on the entry of vital supplies. The United Nations estimates that the reconstruction of Gaza will require approximately $70 billion over two years, with $20 billion needed in the next three years alone. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa has unveiled a five-year, $67 billion plan for recovery and reconstruction.

• **Unprecedented Scale of Destruction:** Satellite imagery analysis reveals that as of October 2025, roughly 60 to 84 percent of all buildings in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed or damaged since October 2023. Gaza City, the largest urban center, has suffered the most severe impact, with estimates indicating 74 to 92 percent of its structures are scarred or completely destroyed. This destruction has generated an estimated 55 to 70 million tonnes of rubble, equivalent to 13 Great Pyramids of Giza, posing a massive clean-up challenge.
• **Dire Humanitarian Crisis:** The conflict has exacerbated an already fragile humanitarian situation, with over 67,000 Palestinians killed and 170,000 injured since October 7, 2023. Malnutrition rates are alarmingly high, particularly among children, with 463 malnutrition-related deaths, including 157 children, documented since October 2023. Essential services are severely compromised, with only a fraction of hospitals and primary healthcare centers remaining partially functional.
• **Mass Displacement and Difficult Returns:** Over 1.9 million people, representing more than 80% of Gaza's population, have been forcibly displaced, many multiple times. While the recent ceasefire has prompted some to return north, they face uninhabitable conditions, lacking basic shelter, water, and sanitation. The decision to return is often driven by a sense of belonging despite the desolation, or a lack of alternatives in overcrowded southern camps.
• **Environmental Catastrophe:** The conflict has triggered an "unparalleled" ecological crisis. Approximately 95 percent of Gaza's farmland is either destroyed or inaccessible, severely impacting food security. Water and sanitation infrastructure are severely damaged, leading to groundwater contamination and a surge in waterborne diseases. The sheer volume of debris, potentially contaminated with hazardous materials, further compounds environmental and public health risks.
• **Challenges to Aid Delivery and Reconstruction:** Despite the ceasefire, the flow of humanitarian aid remains inadequate, with agencies like Save the Children reporting repeated denials of entry for supplies. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that $70 billion is needed for Gaza's reconstruction, with $20 billion required in the next three years. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa announced a five-year, $67 billion recovery plan, emphasizing the need for Israel to allow aid and reconstruction materials.
• **Long-Term Societal Impact:** The extensive damage extends beyond physical infrastructure to the social fabric of Gaza. Over 92% of homes and 518 schools have been destroyed or damaged, and almost all universities are affected. This has left 660,000 school-age children without formal education for over a year, risking a "lost generation" of traumatized youth. The psychological trauma, particularly among children, is severe, with many suffering life-altering injuries and amputations.