Palestinians Return to Devastated Gaza City as Truce Holds

Palestinians began returning to Gaza City on Friday following a fragile truce that has brought a temporary pause to the recent intense clashes between Israeli forces and Hamas militants.

Residents who had fled the city amid the fighting were met with widespread devastation. Streets were littered with rubble, homes were destroyed, and essential services such as electricity and water remained largely disrupted.

“We left everything behind when the bombs started falling,” said Amal Hassan, a mother of three, surveying the ruins of her apartment.

“Returning feels both hopeful and heartbreaking.”

Humanitarian agencies have started delivering aid to the hardest-hit neighborhoods, distributing food, water, and medical supplies.

Officials warned that the scale of destruction means recovery will be slow and residents should exercise caution due to unexploded ordnance and damaged infrastructure.

The truce, brokered with international mediation, has also allowed for the return of displaced residents to northern Gaza, where the destruction was most severe.

Thousands have reportedly returned, navigating streets marked by collapsed buildings and debris.

International organizations stressed the urgent need for sustained aid, warning that without continued support, the population could face severe shortages and worsening living conditions.

While the ceasefire has brought immediate relief, analysts caution that long-term reconstruction and peace will require sustained diplomatic efforts and regional cooperation to address the underlying causes of the conflict.