Families are returning to live amidst the rubble of their destroyed homes in Khan Yunis. Despite the realities of their wrecked homes, they are determined to make do and eventually rebuild their destroyed homes and livelihoods.
Their homes were completely destroyed by the Israeli army who surrounded the second largest city in the Gaza Strip in early December, 2023 and continued to bomb it.
Despite many battles, the Israeli army entered the city a month later and by early March 2024, they began to leave the city under intense fighting from the Palestinian resistance. The battle of Khan Younis will be remembered because of the number of Israeli soldiers who lost their lives.
Returnees started to come back after the Israelis pulled out; they came mostly on foot, the odd downtrodden truck and bicycles. But they were shocked by the state of callous and raw destruction.
They couldn’t believe what happened to their homes, shops and businesses, the scale of devastation, debris and wreckage.
However, the urge to return was exhilarating and continues today. This defines Palestinians to their land, identity, culture and belonging.
Palestinians of this southern city and is the second important in the Gaza Strip, are determined to stay even on the top of their wrecked houses. If they could find a tent to sleep in, all well and good but if not, they would sleep in the outside air, under the sun and skies and during the day, they would use their skills, toil and labour.
The returnees would rather come back to a Khan Younis even if it is in rubble form and wreckage.
They say everywhere is the same in Gaza; they are determined to rebuild their lives even in the ruins of their shops and homes because they have the “economic niche” to continue as one watch repair man told Al Jazeera English, adding “we need to start earning a wage to be able to live.”
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Khan Younis, a city of 200,000 people was completely destroyed, its homes, schools, universities and colleges and its 1387 AD Barquq Castle all completely gone thanks to Israeli bombs, missiles and guns. Its graves were dug up and at least 700 people were killed by Israeli troops and thrown in hastily made mass graves out side Al Nasser Hospital.
As of late however, The Times of Gaza documents the people who are still returning to their now destroyed homes. This is “home sweet home” even in a wrecked state.
Dr Asmar is an Amman-based writer covering news of the Middle East
