Residents of the Gaza Strip expressed cautious optimism following the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with many families preparing to return to neighborhoods devastated by over two years of conflict. The agreement, which took effect early Thursday, has sparked emotional scenes as displaced civilians gathered belongings from temporary shelters, though widespread infrastructure damage and unexploded ordnance pose significant risks.
"We\u2019ve slept in school classrooms for months," said Ahmed al-Masri, a father of four from Khan Younis. "My children keep asking if our kitchen table survived. I don\u2019t have answers." Humanitarian organizations report that 65% of residential buildings in northern Gaza sustained major damage, complicating return efforts.
While the truce has allowed aid convoys to deliver critical medical supplies and food, reconstruction remains a distant goal. The UN estimates $1.5 billion is needed for urgent repairs to water systems and electricity networks. Regional analysts caution that lasting stability depends on sustained diplomatic engagement and economic investment in the territory.
