After nearly 15 months of relentless bombardment, displacement, and suffering, the people of Gaza finally saw a brief moment of relief with the announcement of a ceasefire on January 19, 2025. The truce followed a brutal Israeli military campaign that left the city in ruins, killing thousands, displacing families, and wiping entire neighborhoods off the map.
As Gazans returned to their homes—particularly in the northern areas previously controlled by Israeli forces—what awaited them was devastation. Streets once filled with life were reduced to rubble, and the echoes of destruction remained visible at every turn. Amid this hardship, countless stories of resilience emerged, including that of Waleed Abu Shawqa.
Living Among the Ruins
Waleed Abu Shawqa, a father of six from Al-Zahra, now lives amid the wreckage of his former home, a residential tower obliterated by Israeli airstrikes. With nowhere else to go, he faces dire conditions, constant danger, and the looming threat of structural collapse.
“I have lived in Al-Zahra for twenty years, and life was peaceful,” he recalls. “But the war launched by Israel on October 7 turned everything into hell. On the night of October 19, 2023, the Israeli army ordered us to evacuate Al-Zahra, saying it would be targeted by warplanes. We fled to Al-Nuseirat camp, and that night, more than 25 residential towers were bombed.”
Despite the dangers, Abu Shawqa couldn’t help but return to check on his home. This decision nearly cost him his life.
“I found my house still standing, but the area was perilous, close to the Netzarim axis controlled by the Israeli army. I stayed for three days,” he says.
On the fourth day, as he made his way to Al-Nuseirat camp to gather essential supplies, an Israeli reconnaissance drone struck him.
“I was taken to Al-‘Awda Hospital and later transferred to Al-Aqsa Hospital. I suffered severe injuries—damage to my left eye, three fractures in my lower jaw, and shrapnel wounds across my body. I’m still waiting for permission to leave Gaza for medical treatment,” he says.
A Ceasefire, but No End to Suffering
Even with the ceasefire, Gazans face a new battle—rebuilding what little remains of their homes. Rather than enduring life in overcrowded, unsanitary tents amid the cold and rain, many have chosen to clear the debris and reclaim whatever they can.
“After the ceasefire was declared, I returned to Al-Zahra to find my building completely destroyed. But I had no choice—I spent ten days removing the rubble and brought my family back,” Abu Shawqa explains. “There is no drinking water, no essentials. To buy anything, I have to walk four kilometers to Al-Nuseirat camp because the Israeli army has destroyed all the roads.”
The latest figures from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics paint a grim picture: 60,368 homes have been completely destroyed, while 330,500 others have suffered partial damage. Mosques, hospitals, and government institutions have also been devastated by Israeli bombardment.
For Gazans like Abu Shawqa, the war may have halted for now, but the suffering is far from over.
“I hope this war ends, and our suffering comes to an end, so we can rebuild our lives,” he says.
TR