The Israel-Hamas war that has been going on for two years has finally ended. Ceasefire has been in force in Gaza for the past several days. The population that had fled to safe zones to escape the bombing is now under pressure to return. However, the attacks have left Gaza’s residential areas and even hospitals in ruins. In such a situation, is there any arrangement so that the returned Gazans can get temporary relief?
Amidst the fighting that started in October 2023, the focus initially remained on Hamas targets. But then it was found out that the terrorist organization was established right in the city along with the population. After this, ground attacks also started. northern Gaza Amid the crackdown, lakhs of people migrated to the south because safe zones were created there.
Khan Yunis is the largest city in the south, which has been a major destination for displaced people. However, later there was bombing here too.
– There was a large population gathered in Rafah Crossing, the area adjacent to the Egyptian border. He hoped that Egypt would open its borders if the situation worsened.
– Schools, hospitals and public buildings were converted into shelters, where the UN was providing facilities.
When all the shelters started filling up, people started living in temporary tents in open fields and coastal areas.
Now the situation is such that more than 80 percent of the population of Gaza has lost their homes. Most of the people have faced displacement several times. Now these people are returning back towards northern Gaza.
As soon as the ceasefire came into effect on Friday, thousands of people started moving from south to north. People are returning on foot or in small vehicles. It is estimated that since then more than two lakh people have returned in the same number of days. However, the situation there is not such that one can survive. The buildings have been destroyed. There is no electricity and water or even if there is very little. Public places like hospitals and schools are in ruins.
Many dangers still remain. For example, between the two years of bombing, many explosives would have remained unexploded. This is a big risk. It is possible that while removing debris or passing through the road, people’s feet may step on them and an explosion may occur. Many such cases occur in war-affected areas.
There is no detail in Trump’s peace proposal as to how far the army will withdraw and by when. In such a situation, it is possible that between the exchange of hostages and prisoners Hamas Or someone in Israel may change his mind and become aggressive again. The Israeli army may also become aggressive during the withdrawal because the country has lost a lot of hostages.
Even if all this is left aside for once, the lack of humanitarian aid is a big crisis. Not only Israel but also Egypt has laid siege to the borders of Gaza. Humanitarian aid is able to reach through very limited routes. As soon as the ceasefire came into force on Friday, many rescue agencies wanted to reach northern Gaza but the path was not easy.
Bridges were broken, debris was lying everywhere on the road. There was also a fear that unexploded bombs might explode in front of vehicles loaded with relief material. Additionally, the corridor is not open in some areas because the exchange of military control could not take place. In such a situation, things like food, clean water and medicines are not able to reach the northern part, or it is becoming very difficult.
Areas like Jabaliya Refugee Camp are in the worst condition. This camp is a very densely populated area. Most of the media reports claim that everything from houses to markets have been destroyed here. People don’t even know where to go because their places have been destroyed.
Is there any provision for immediate relief?
Many other rescue organizations associated with the United Nations worked on this. As soon as the ceasefire came into effect, the UN planned to send tents to provide temporary shelter to the returning families. Tents were distributed to approximately twenty-five thousand families who have just returned to northern Gaza. Arrangements are being made to send more and more food items and medicines through trucks.
A UN report says that there is a plan to provide food assistance to about two million people, preparations for which are underway. Relief agencies are also working to provide temporary relief from unemployment to the returnees. Cash-for-work programs are running in many places so that the returnees can do some work.
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