Gaza's Struggle to Rebuild: A Long and Uncertain Road Ahead

Following months of upheaval, thousands of Gazans are returning home, grappling with severe humanitarian challenges. With essential services decimated and shelter in short supply, the long-term rebuilding process is fraught with uncertainty, raising concerns about future displacement and economic strain.

After 15 harrowing months of displacement, Gazans are embarking on the challenging journey back home, facing an incredibly daunting future. Although the Gaza Strip is geographically small, the implications of this return are vast, with heavy humanitarian challenges looming ahead. "There are no facilities, no services, no electricity, no water, no infrastructure," stated Gazan journalist Ghada el-Kurd, who is also preparing to make her way back to northern Gaza.

The immediate necessities are slowly being met. As Sam Rose from the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, Unrwa, noted, aid is arriving at unprecedented levels, allowing for basic provisions of food, water, and hygiene products. However, with only the initial requirements addressed, the path to rebuilding the region remains long and arduous.

The first significant challenge is finding shelter. Nearly 700,000 people fled during the early weeks of the conflict, with around 400,000 remaining in place. The UN estimates that approximately 70% of Gaza's infrastructure has been compromised or destroyed since October 2023, primarily in the northern regions. In Jabaliya, home to many refugees, significant destruction has occurred.

The local government urgently requests 135,000 tents and caravans, but the UN can only provide a fraction of those needs, raising fears of overcrowding and continued displacement. Living conditions are already strained, with multiple families seeking refuge in single buildings, leading to heightened tensions. As another local resident shared, the pressure on already limited resources like water and electricity is likely to intensify with the return of displaced individuals.

Despite the overwhelming challenges, there is a palpable sense of hope among some who return. Many speak of their joy at being able to return to the north and leave behind the hardships faced in the south. Yet the dire realities of the situation persist, with inflation beginning to affect food prices even as market activity resumes.

The international community remains divided regarding the future of Gaza. U.S. officials, including former president Donald Trump, have suggested neighboring countries take in displaced Palestinians, a proposition met with swift condemnation from Egyptian and Jordanian leaders who fear the implications of increased refugee populations.

As Gazans navigate these uncertainties, many feel the pressure. Journalist Ghada el-Kurd warns that if reconstruction is delayed, further waves of emigration could occur, particularly among those who can afford a life elsewhere, while the most vulnerable remain trapped in a harsh reality. "Everybody deserves a better life," she concludes, poignantly questioning, "But why not in Gaza?"