Palestinians in the Gaza City district of Shijaiyah have been met with scenes of utter destruction following the withdrawal of Israeli troops, marking the end of a two-week offensive. Civil defense workers have reported the discovery of 60 bodies amidst the rubble, highlighting the tragic toll of the conflict.
Families who had fled the intense assault have begun to return to Shijaiyah, hoping to assess the condition of their homes and salvage whatever remains. The landscape is a haunting sight, with nearly every building reduced to rubble, leaving behind piles of concrete and twisted rebar. The once bustling streets now lie in ruins, with only a few grey gutted concrete frames standing as a reminder of what once was.
Residents navigate the area on bicycles or horse-drawn carts, as the constant buzzing of Israeli military drones fills the air. Sharif Abu Shanab, who found his family's four-story building collapsed, expressed the despair felt by many, stating, 'We have nothing, no food or drink. There’s only one solution, hit us with a nuclear bomb and relieve us of this life.'
The Israeli military's latest assault on Shijaiyah began in late June, targeting militants who had regrouped in the district. The offensive forced around 80,000 people to flee, leaving behind a desolate landscape of destruction. The military claims to have killed dozens of militants and destroyed eight tunnels in the area, though these assertions remain unverified.
Gaza’s Civil Defense organization has been working tirelessly to recover bodies from the rubble, with 60 casualties confirmed so far. However, the search continues as more individuals are believed to be buried under the debris. Limited resources and heavy equipment pose challenges to the organization's efforts to clear the rubble effectively.
The United Nations estimates that approximately 300,000 Palestinians remain in northern Gaza, enduring dire conditions in overcrowded tent camps. The ongoing conflict has taken a heavy toll on Gaza's population, with thousands of lives lost and widespread hunger plaguing the region.
Israel launched the war in Gaza in response to Hamas' attack in southern Israel, which resulted in significant casualties and abductions. The conflict has escalated, leading to a devastating loss of life and infrastructure in Gaza. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as efforts to protect civilians and address allegations of genocide unfold.
For more updates on the Israel-Hamas conflict, visit AP's coverage.
