GAZA CITY (October 12, 2025) — A fragile calm has settled over the Gaza Strip as a newly brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues to hold. After more than a year of relentless bombardment, thousands of displaced Palestinians are returning to what remains of their homes, hoping this truce marks the beginning of stability.
The ceasefire, reached through mediation by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, took effect on Friday and has brought a rare silence to the war-torn enclave. Both sides have agreed to halt military operations and begin limited prisoner exchanges, alongside the opening of humanitarian corridors for aid delivery.
Scenes of Return and Ruin
Across Gaza, families are walking back to their neighborhoods, many pushing carts filled with what little they own. Streets once bustling with life are now fields of debris.
“I came back to find only walls and ashes,” said Nidal Abu Rami, a father of three from Beit Hanoun. “But this is still my home.”
According to UN estimates, over 90% of homes have been damaged or destroyed. The UNRWA reports that nearly 1.9 million Gazans remain in need of shelter, and many who return are sleeping in tents beside the rubble of their former houses.
Humanitarian Crisis Persists
Despite the quiet, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Water and electricity are scarce, hospitals are overwhelmed, and food supplies are running low. The World Health Organization has warned of possible disease outbreaks as overcrowded shelters and destroyed sanitation systems pose serious risks.
Aid agencies, including UNRWA, Anera, and the Red Cross, have begun clearing rubble and distributing emergency supplies, though blocked roads and damaged bridges continue to slow progress.
International Response and Cautious Hope
World leaders have cautiously welcomed the ceasefire. The UN Secretary-General called it “a vital step toward easing human suffering,” while the European Union pledged support for reconstruction once conditions allow. Analysts, however, warn that without addressing deeper political and humanitarian issues, the peace may not last.
Still, for Gaza’s civilians, even a brief pause offers a glimmer of hope. Children have begun to play amid the ruins, and families are gathering for meals under makeshift roofs.
“This is not the end,” said Mariam Al-Sayeed, a teacher who lost much of her family. “But for now, we can finally breathe.”
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