Khan Younis, Gaza – Residents who were displaced from their homes in Khan Younis due to Israel’s military offensive have started to trickle back into the southern Gaza city post the withdrawal of Israeli forces. The city, once bustling with life, now lies in ruins, with former neighborhoods reduced to wastelands.
Video footage captured by a local journalist shows returning residents surveying the devastation left behind in Khan Younis, standing on what used to be their homes, now reduced to rubble. The Israeli military announced the withdrawal of its ground forces from the area after months of intense conflict, leaving a path of destruction behind them. Many buildings, including homes, offices, and mosques, have been severely damaged, with some entirely flattened.
As residents return to salvage what is left of their belongings, the scenes of destruction are heart-wrenching. Children carrying furniture, mattresses, and other essentials on their backs, while others sift through the rubble in search of anything salvageable. The grim reality of their once-vibrant city now reduced to a ghost town is a stark reminder of the toll of war.
Despite the devastation, residents like 12-year-old Aseel and others are determined to rebuild their lives. Aseel points to where her home once stood, now a pile of rubble, expressing her disbelief and sorrow at the loss. Another young resident, Tamar, is seen carrying pieces of wood, planning to sell them to make ends meet and avoid having to beg for money.
The aftermath of the conflict is evident in the bullet-ridden buildings, debris-littered streets, and the somber mood that hangs over the city. The European Hospital in Gaza reported the recovery of 46 bodies buried under demolished buildings following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Khan Younis. The scars of war are visible everywhere, with graffiti and destruction serving as painful reminders of the violence that tore through the city.
As the residents grapple with the enormity of the destruction, their resilience and determination to rebuild shine through. The road ahead is long and arduous, but the spirit of the people of Khan Younis remains unbroken. Amidst the rubble and ruins, there is hope for a better tomorrow, a tomorrow where the children can once again play in the streets, and families can rebuild their homes and lives.