Gaza Rebuilds Amid Ruins and Uncertainty After Ceasefire

 

Gaza Rebuilds Amid Ruins and Uncertainty After Ceasefire

By deepoct] | October 19, 2025

Gaza City, Gaza Strip – Just over a week after a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump and Arab mediators halted two years of devastating war between Israel and Hamas, residents in Gaza are returning to ruined neighborhoods and attempting to piece together their shattered lives.

For Noor Abed, a 35-year-old former software engineer, the journey back to his home required GPS, as familiar streets and buildings were reduced to sand dunes. “There are no conditions for life here,” Abed told CNN. “No water, no electricity, no schools, and almost no phone coverage.” He is currently living in a tent at Al-Azhar University, whose damaged campus has become a temporary refuge for displaced families.

“We are waiting to be sure the war has truly ended before bringing everyone back,” he said, adding that his family is slowly preparing a place for others as bulldozers clear the roads. “Life is beginning to return… somewhat.”

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The Human Toll

The war left Gaza devastated. According to local health officials:

• Nearly 68,000 people have died

• Thousands are missing, presumed under rubble

• Children, who make up over half of Gaza’s prewar population of 2.2 million, have gone without schooling for two years

• Food and basic supplies remain scarce

Even with increased aid following the ceasefire, an organized distribution framework is not yet in place, leaving many families uncertain about how to rebuild.

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Security and Governance Challenges

Amid the physical destruction, questions about security and governance remain complex. Gaza now faces a mix of:

• Remaining Hamas forces

• Rival clans, gangs, and militias vying for control

• A fragile law and order situation, highlighted by recent public executions

For most Palestinians, however, immediate needs like food, shelter, and water are far more pressing than political maneuvering.

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Background of the Conflict

The current ceasefire follows a coordinated attack by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped another 250. Israel’s retaliatory offensives displaced most of Gaza’s population, forcing over two million residents into temporary humanitarian zones.

While the ceasefire provides a temporary reprieve, the task of rebuilding Gaza is monumental, as almost every building has been damaged or destroyed beyond repair. International reporting is limited due to restrictions on media access imposed by Israel, with freelance journalists providing much of the ground coverage.

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Looking Ahead

Even as residents like Noor Abed begin to return, Gaza faces:

• Massive reconstruction needs

• Uncertainty over governance and security

• Limited humanitarian aid distribution

The coming months will test the resilience of Gaza’s residents as they attempt to recover from years of conflict and rebuild a sense of normalcy amid ruins.