• Palestinians displaced by the ongoing conflict are eager to return home, but many find their neighborhoods in ruins.
• Over 69% of Gaza's infrastructure has been destroyed, leaving vast amounts of debris and a grim outlook for rebuilding.
• The UN estimates debris clearance alone could take 15 years due to the scale of destruction and hazardous materials.
• Reconstruction efforts hinge on lifting the Israeli blockade, a point of contention in political negotiations.
• International donors seem hesitant to invest without a stable governing body for Gaza following the conflict.

Amidst the despair and dislocation caused by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Palestinians in Gaza are eager to return home should a long-awaited ceasefire agreement materialize. However, the stark reality they face is of a territory devastated to such an extent that many will find nothing left to return to. Extensive Israeli bombardment has resulted in entire neighborhoods transformed into heaps of rubble, with critical infrastructure such as water and electricity systems in ruins, and most hospitals no longer operational. Major roads are also rendered unusable, presenting a dire scene for potential returnees, as reported by South China Morning Post.

The United Nations indicates that the damage is so severe that it could take over 350 years to rebuild Gaza if the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt remains intact. With estimates showing that 69% of structures have been damaged or destroyed, including more than 245,000 homes, the estimated costs for reconstruction reach nearly $18.5 billion. This is nearly equivalent to the total economic output of both the West Bank and Gaza in 2022. As the conflict continues to escalate, the unfortunate death toll reflects a staggering number, with reports indicating that over 46,000 Palestinians have died since the start of the war, a majority being women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. In contrast, Israel has claimed to have killed over 17,000 militants, without presenting independent verification of these numbers, as reported by Time Magazine.

The task of clearing the substantial debris is monumental, with the UN estimating that more than 50 million tons of rubble now cover Gaza's streets. Even with over 100 trucks dedicated to the removal effort, this cleanup process is anticipated to take over 15 years. Moreover, the debris poses hazards, containing unexploded ordnance and toxic materials, complicating recovery efforts and putting lives at risk. Thousands of individuals who perished in airstrikes remain buried within the rubble, amplifying the humanitarian crisis on the ground, highlighted by sources including Los Angeles Times and Voice of America.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis is compounded by the political complexities surrounding Gaza's governance. The ceasefire agreement does not address plans for who will govern Gaza post-conflict or whether the blockade will be lifted, hindering both rebuilding efforts and the flow of necessary humanitarian aid. Without a clear political future, international donors are unlikely to invest in Gaza, leaving many Palestinians facing the prospect of long-term displacement in sprawling tent camps along the coastline, as noted by Newsweek. As the hope for reconstruction wanes, Palestinians remain trapped in a devastating cycle of despair and waiting, with their future increasingly uncertain.