Gaza Residents Confront Devastation Upon Returning After Ceasefire

As the Gaza ceasefire holds, tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians are returning to Gaza City to confront massive destruction following intensive Israeli military operations. The returning residents face a landscape transformed by the systematic leveling of high-rise buildings that once defined the city's skyline and represented its urban development.

The Israeli military targeted multiple high-rise towers throughout Gaza City, including the prominent Mushtaha Tower and other structures that stood as local landmarks. According to international media reports, at least fourteen major buildings have been completely flattened in recent operations, with eastern neighborhoods suffering extensive damage earlier in the conflict. The Israeli army stated these buildings were used for Hamas intelligence operations, though specific evidence remains undisclosed.

Residents returning to the devastation shared their profound sense of loss. Wisam Shublaq, whose 14-story Al-Jundi Al-Majhoul Tower home was destroyed, reflected that "every wall, every window carried a memory." The destruction also eliminated commercial and cultural spaces like the Al-Ru'ya Tower, which housed cafes and creative venues, including a business established by an entrepreneur who had recently returned from Türkiye.

The targeting extended to media centers, including the Al-Ghefari Tower that housed numerous journalists and international news outlets. A correspondent who worked there for over a decade described watching the building collapse as "heartbreaking." United Nations regulations prohibit destruction of civilian property in occupied areas unless absolutely necessary for military operations, and such incidents have been cited in international investigations regarding the conflict.

The current ceasefire arrangement, which took effect Friday noon local time, includes provisions for prisoner exchanges and a gradual Israeli withdrawal. The agreement's second phase envisions establishing a new governing structure in Gaza without Hamas participation and creating a joint security force. The conflict has resulted in extensive casualties since October 2023, with Palestinian authorities reporting over 67,600 deaths.