Returning to northern Gaza: a journey of hardship and resilience

As the dust settled and families begun making their way back to northern Gaza, the reality they faced was one of immense difficulty. Despite the devastation, they returned with hope, resilience, and determination to rebuild their lives. 

An exhausting journey home

Jameel's return to the north was anything but easy. He set off by car, but the journey was plagued with heavy traffic and exhaustion. His car battery failed, forcing him to push the vehicle the final stretch. Along the way, there were no bathrooms, no food, and no water. It took him 52 demanding hours to reach home, during which he had to sleep on the street because he didn't fit inside the packed car. When he finally arrived, he struggled to recognise his surroundings, familiar landmarks had been reduced to rubble, making it difficult to even find his home. "This is not our home. I will not get out of the car", thought Jameel once they finally arrived.

This is not our home. I will not get out of the car

Ahmed, on the other hand, had no vehicle to rely on. He made the arduous journey on foot, carrying whatever belongings he could manage. Despite the exhaustion and uncertainty, he remains hopeful that he will be able to rebuild. His apartment, though badly damaged, is still there. However, some of his family members were not as fortunate, losing their homes entirely and now facing an uncertain future. "There is always hope...", says Ahmed while looking out of the broken window of his damaged building.

Life in a city without essentials

Jameel, along with Nour and Mohamed's families, also found their homes still standing but extensively damaged. The challenges, however, did not end there. With no electricity, internet, or running water, daily life is a continuous battle. Charging a phone requires a 500-meter walk and costs a dollar each time, an expense that quickly adds up. Water is another pressing issue; if they are not outside at the right moment when the water tanks arrive, they will miss their chance to collect clean water.

For Jameel's family, even something as simple as knowing where home is has become a struggle. With no door to mark their apartment, his young son often wanders into neighbouring homes, unable to remember which one was theirs. Nour and Mohamed are barely able to connect to the internet. To do that Mohamed will need to walk far away from their house and stand in a place surrounded by garbage. I have managed to exchange a few messages with him since they left but he was not able to send me photos yet.

Living among the ruins

For some, there was no home to return to. Mohammed and Fadwa lost everything in the destruction and are still living in a tent. "Everything is destroyed, there is no life!" Mohammed said, summing up the heartbreak of countless others in similar situations. There are also no jobs available to start earning money themselves. All rebuilding efforts are dependent on the kindness and generosity of others.

Everything is destroyed, there is no life!

The strength to rebuild

Despite the overwhelming hardships, these families continue to press on. Their return to northern Gaza is not just about reclaiming their homes, but also about restoring their lives. Every step is a struggle, yet their resilience is a testament to the enduring human spirit, a refusal to give up, even in the face of unimaginable devastation. The sense of community is strong in Gaza, friends are considered family and family is everything.

As they piece together what remains, they hold onto the hope that one day, their city will thrive again. And to respond to the suggestions whether they want to relocate to the neighbouring countries, Jameel says: "I will not leave here, no matter what the cost... and this is what all the people say... as for us to having the right to travel and go and return freely... then it is possible for me to travel... as for displacement, we will never accept it... and I hope that we can build our city as soon as possible."

You can help. 

The people of northern Gaza need urgent support to rebuild their lives. Donations can provide essential resources like clean water, food, medical supplies, and shelter for those who have lost everything. Even a small donation makes a difference. Please click on the links below to donate. Thank you for your kindness. Together we are powerful.

Jameel and family | Ahmed and family | Nour, Mohamed and family | Mohammed, Fadwa and family