Chicago – January 21, 2025
Exhausted Palestinians began returning to what was left of their homes in Gaza on the third day of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Many were shocked by the destruction. The truce, which started on Sunday, followed 15 months of intense conflict. It included the release of three hostages by Hamas and 90 Palestinian prisoners by Israel.
Attention is now turning to rebuilding Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have left entire neighbourhoods in ruins. Some residents couldn’t even recognize their homes and chose to return to tents where they’d lived for months. Others started clearing debris, trying to move back into the remains of their homes.
A United Nations report says over 50 million tonnes of rubble need to be cleared, a process that could take 21 years and cost $1.2 billion. Some of the debris may contain asbestos from older buildings, adding health risks.
Gaza health officials report at least 47,000 deaths during the conflict, with thousands more likely buried under the rubble. Rescue teams have found 150 bodies since the truce began but estimate 10,000 more remain buried. Heavy equipment is urgently needed to speed up the recovery effort, which could take months.
