Gaza: The Struggle for War, Reconstruction, and Justice

After persistent insistence by Dr Khalid, a Palestinian-born physician, I finally visited his home. As I stepped inside, I was captivated by a strange blend of spiritual and romantic sensations. It felt as though the Quranic calligraphy masterpieces about martyrs on every wall of the room were holding me accountable. Khalid has been residing in London for many years. However, it was after a decade that his wife and three children finally travelled to Gaza. Just two days after their arrival, Gaza turned into a merciless killing field amidst the flames of war.

While proudly showing an album on the table, filled with photos of smiling martyrs, Khalid introduced each face, saying, “They are all together, receiving sustenance from Allah and waiting for me.” Staring at the pictures of his eldest son and daughter, he tried to hide the tears in his eyes and, with trembling lips, remarked, “They were a trust from my Lord, and I have returned them to Him. Surely, this is the path of the hereafter.”

وَلَاتَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِيْنَ قُتِلُوْافِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ اَمْوَاتًاۭبَلْ اَحْيَاۗءٌعِنْدَرَبِّھِمْ يُرْزَقُوْنَ فَرِحِيْنَ بِمَآاٰتٰىھُمُ اللهُ مِنْ فَضْلِہٖ ۙ وَيَسْـتَبْشِرُوْنَ بِالَّذِيْنَ لَمْ يَلْحَقُوْا بِھِمْ مِّنْ خَلْفِھِمْ ۙ اَ لَّاخَوْفٌ عَلَيْھِمْ وَلَاھُمْ يَحْزَنُوْنَ۔(آل عمران:169-170)

And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision, Rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty, and they receive good tidings about those [to be martyred] after them who have not yet joined them – that there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.

When the topic turned to the recent ceasefire in Gaza and the return of its residents, it became difficult to maintain composure. Khalid played fresh video clips on the TV screen, showing people frantically searching through the rubble of Gaza for their loved ones. Scattered among the debris were colourful school bags, shoes, iron vases, broken beds and chairs, shattered windows, fragments of drinking glasses, and torn clothing—everything a chaotic, heart-wrenching scene.

These dust-covered items in Gaza are often seen as ‘reminders of loved ones,’ and they serve as clues to estimate that the individuals who used them might have their bodies buried beneath the rubble nearby. After the withdrawal of the occupying Israeli forces from Rafah, hundreds of bodies were found buried under the remains of homes.

The Palestinian health authorities estimate that 10,000 people are still missing. Emergency teams often rely on items like clothing or other personal effects to locate bodies beneath the debris. When such signs are absent, they turn to information from missing persons’ relatives or attempt to detect the smell of blood or human remains near the rubble. The Israeli government has imposed restrictions on all foreign news agencies from entering Gaza and conducting independent reporting. In such circumstances, where else could I find a more credible source to bring the stories of those searching for the missing to the world than Dr Khalid?

The scenes that emerged after the recent war between Gaza and Israel were gut-wrenching and shook the conscience of humanity. The destruction and loss of life during the war made the return of Gaza’s residents to their homes an excruciatingly painful experience. Ruined homes, piles of debris, and the unidentifiable bodies of loved ones have become a harsh reality for the people of Gaza—one that words fail to fully convey.

The streets and neighbourhoods of Gaza have now turned into ruins. When people returned to their homes after the ceasefire, they were confronted with destruction beyond imagination. Many families had lost their loved ones, while others were unable even to identify the bodies of their relatives. Such scenes—where stray dogs were seen feeding on human corpses—depict the utmost helplessness and brutality inflicted upon humanity.

Locals are removing rubble cautiously, knowing that beneath the piles of earth and stones, they are uncovering the “shattered remains of humanity.” Often, all they find beneath the debris are piles of bones. The explosion of Israeli bombs frequently tore apart the bodies of the dead. Bones and scraps of clothing found here are wrapped in shrouds, while an elderly man affixes labels reading ‘Unidentified’ on these shrouded remains.

One Gaza resident returned to his home after the ceasefire and found a skeleton with a shattered skull inside. He believed the body had been there for four to five months. Overcome with grief, he broke into tears, saying, “We are humans and have emotions. I cannot explain how helpless this tragedy makes us feel. These corpses are terrifying, and we are witnessing the horror with our own eyes. I swear, it is a heart-wrenching feeling, and I cry because I am reminded of the 50 years of life spent with them. All these tender buds were crushed before they could blossom.”

At Rafah’s hospitals, long queues of people await the remains of their loved ones. In the courtyard of the European hospital in southern Gaza, sacks containing collections of bones and clothing are laid out.

Nineteen-year-old Abdulsalam was a resident of Rafah. According to his uncle Zaki, Abdulsalam had gone missing in the Shabora area, a place where survival during the war was nearly impossible. This is why we did not search for Abdulsalam there, fearing we would not return alive. The bones and clothing laid before them belonged to Abdulsalam, and Zaki stood beside hospital worker Jihad Abu Khreis, waiting for Abdulsalam’s brother. “We are 99 per cent sure this body belongs to Abdulsalam, but we are still waiting for confirmation from his brother, as he is the closest relative and will definitively identify if these shoes and trousers belonged to him.”

Later, Abdulsalam’s brother arrived at the hospital from the refugee camp in southern Gaza. He carried a picture of his missing brother on his mobile phone, which also showed his shoes. Kneeling before the body, he uncovered it, touched the skull and clothes, and examined the shoes. Tears filled his eyes as another identification process was completed. Nearby, another family was rummaging through the shrouded sacks—an elderly grandmother, a son, a daughter, and an infant.

The Child in the Group
The child was placed at the back of the group, while an elderly woman and her son gazed at a shroud-like bag. They stared at it for a few moments, then embraced each other in grief, sobbing quietly. With the help of hospital staff, the family took the remains of a loved one with them. Their faint sobs were audible, but they refrained from crying aloud.

Thirteen-year-old Aya al-Dibeh lived in a school in northern Gaza with her family and thousands of other refugees. She was one of her parents’ nine children. According to her family, during the early days of the war in Gaza, Aya went to the bathroom on the upper floor of the school and was shot in the chest by an Israeli sniper. The UN Office for Human Rights reported that during the war, Israeli forces fired heavily in densely populated areas, leading to illegal killings, including those of unarmed civilians.

Aya’s family buried her near the school. Her 43-year-old mother, Lina al-Dibeh, wrapped her in a blanket, saying it was to protect her body from rain and sunlight in case her grave was disturbed. When the Israeli forces took control of the school, Lina and her family moved to the southern part of Gaza. She had no choice but to leave her daughter’s grave behind, hoping she could later return to retrieve her remains and arrange a proper burial.

Speaking about her daughter, Lina said, “Aya was a kind girl. Everyone loved her, and she loved everyone. She was an excellent student and always wished well for others.”

When the ceasefire in the area came into effect, Lina asked her relatives to visit her daughter’s grave. The news they brought back was heartbreaking.

“We were told that her head was in one place, her torso elsewhere, and her ribs somewhere else. The relatives who visited her grave showed us these images,” she said. “When I saw it, I couldn’t understand how her body had been removed from the grave or how the dogs had devoured her. I cannot keep my composure.”

Lina’s family collected Aya’s bones, and now her remains will be reburied in a proper grave.

Endless Pain
Although the ceasefire has come into effect in Gaza, Lina al-Dibeh’s grief shows no sign of abating. She said, “I couldn’t take her body out of the grave to bring it with me. Tell me, where would I have taken her?”

The fact remains that these bodies have been lying here for months, but there’s an inexplicable fragrance emanating from the site, touching hearts and souls.
This tragedy doesn’t just represent the suffering of the people of Gaza but of humanity as a whole. Homeless individuals, orphaned children, and the injured and disabled stand as living testimonies to these atrocities. The question remains: when will justice be served to these victims?

Violations of Human Rights and Global Silence
Grave violations of human rights were witnessed during the war. Bombing of unarmed civilians, destruction of medical centres and schools, and the killing of innocent children were just the tip of the iceberg. The silence of human rights advocates and the international community raises even more questions.

The United Nations, the European Union, and other international organisations failed to protect the people of Gaza during this war. This silence not only exacerbated the suffering of the victims but also added salt to their wounds in the aftermath of the war.

The Perpetrators and the Role of Global Institutions
Multiple factors, both direct and indirect, are responsible for this human tragedy. Primarily, the culprits behind this devastation must be held accountable. Those involved in the use of advanced weaponry, attacks on civilian populations, and the killing of innocent lives must be brought to justice.

It is disheartening to see powerful nations, which claim to be champions of human rights, providing weapons to the perpetrators behind closed doors. Not only do these countries remain silent on the crimes against the people of Gaza, but they also extend financial and military support to oppressive forces. This arms supply and political backing not only sustain the atrocities but also hinder the pursuit of justice. This attitude further fuels the violation of human rights and deepens the wounds of the oppressed.

Gaza’s Reconstruction and Experts’ Perspectives
Clearing the rubble and rehabilitating Gaza presents a significant challenge, and experts have highlighted various critical aspects:

Assessing Environmental Impacts
Experts stress the importance of considering environmental impacts during debris removal. Hazardous materials, such as asbestos and other toxic substances, must be disposed of safely to avoid further harm to public health.

Using Local Construction Resources
The reconstruction process should prioritise the use of local materials and skilled labour. This approach will not only be economically beneficial but also create employment opportunities.

Global Financial Aid
Experts estimate that Gaza’s complete rehabilitation will require billions of dollars. Removing over 50,000 tonnes of debris could take decades. The United Nations and other international relief organisations can play a pivotal role in this regard, but their current stance leaves little room for optimism. Global financial institutions and Muslim countries need to establish a dedicated fund to address this crisis.

Social and Psychological Rehabilitation
Psychological rehabilitation of war victims is also a critical component of the reconstruction process. Experts suggest establishing centres where affected individuals can receive psychological support to help them restore normalcy to their lives.

Challenges in Education and Healthcare
The war has destroyed all schools and hospitals. Immediate efforts are needed to restore children’s education and healthcare. Setting up mobile schools and temporary medical centres is the need of the hour.

Long-term Planning
Experts believe that the reconstruction process should not merely focus on rebuilding structures but should be based on a long-term plan encompassing the revival of education, healthcare, and the economy.

The Need for Justice and Current Challenges
Providing justice to the people of Gaza is a challenging yet necessary endeavour. Investigating crimes committed during the war and holding those responsible accountable is of utmost importance. However, several factors, such as the political interests of powerful nations, the weak standing of the United Nations, and the slow pace of justice, hinder this process.

A Way Forward
International Pressure and Transparent Investigations
The international community must ensure transparent investigations into atrocities committed during the war and hold those responsible for war crimes accountable. It is the responsibility of the United Nations and other global organisations to guarantee justice.

Humanitarian Aid and Reconstruction
After the war, global aid initiatives should prioritise Gaza’s reconstruction and the rehabilitation of its victims. Homeless individuals must be provided with shelter, and essential facilities such as healthcare, education, and basic amenities must be ensured.

Permanent Resolution of the Palestinian Issue
The root cause of this war lies in the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel. Until this issue is resolved permanently, the cycle of war and bloodshed will persist. Global leaders must take serious steps toward finding a sustainable solution to this problem.

Public Awareness and Media’s Role
It is crucial to raise awareness about the atrocities in Gaza across the world. The media must fulfil its responsibility by bringing these injustices to light so that public pressure can prompt the international community into action.

Global Unity
The Muslim world must unite to highlight the Palestinian issue on an international level. This unity is necessary not only on political fronts but also economically and diplomatically to persuade the global community toward resolving this crisis.

Conclusion
The plight of Gaza’s people and the aftermath of war compel us to reflect on human rights, justice, and the global conscience. This is the time for the international community to unite against these injustices and adopt a strong and effective strategy to prevent such atrocities in the future.

Providing justice is not just a moral obligation but the foundation of human dignity and peace. Until justice is served to the victims of Gaza, the dream of global peace will remain unfulfilled. We must collectively strive to end these atrocities so that future generations can live in a peaceful and secure world.