The Gaza streets remain cluttered with debris, waste, and the remnants of damaged structures. After three years of conflict between Israel and Hamas and nearly a year of a fragile truce, the echoes of airstrikes, explosions, and cries for loved ones have faded away. Now, the atmosphere is filled with distant conversations, car horns, and the sounds of daily life.
On October 7, 2023, a Hamas-led assault on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals, including 251 hostages in Gaza, as per Israeli reports. The conflict has led to approximately 74,245 fatalities in Gaza, according to the local health ministry. Since the ceasefire on October 11 last year, the ministry has recorded 1,462 Palestinian casualties.
Currently, Gaza is gradually transitioning from a state of mere survival as residents are beginning to contemplate the future, seeking sustainable long-term housing solutions and contemplating sending their children back to school. In discussions with six Gaza residents, CBC News explored how they are coping with accommodation, food, and education challenges.
During the conflict, Gazans faced frequent displacement, leading to the emergence of numerous camps across the region as people sought safety. However, post-ceasefire, these displacements have become less frequent, and many are now focusing on establishing more permanent residences. For instance, Mohamed Al-Arabeed, 44, residing with his family of eight at the Al-Maqousi camp near Gaza City, is struggling to maintain their deteriorating tent, which they have been patching up to withstand the harsh Gaza winters.
Despite signs of progress, fear still looms over Gaza City, located near the Israeli military boundary. Many residents, like Al-Arabeed, remain cautious about venturing out for daily errands, apprehensive of potential conflict or attacks. The uncertainty of their situation weighs heavily on their minds, emphasizing their innocence in the ongoing turmoil.
In another neighborhood, Abdullah Abu Hajar, 47, resides with his family in a structurally compromised building, marked as “dangerous, could collapse.” Despite the risks, Abu Hajar and 17 other families residing in the building feel stranded with nowhere else to go, highlighting the severe housing challenges faced by many in Gaza.
The article also sheds light on the food scarcity and affordability issues plaguing Gaza residents. A report in August 2025 confirmed famine conditions in Gaza City, attributing the crisis to the prolonged conflict and restrictive border measures. Residents like Mohammed Barghout struggle with exorbitant prices for basic food items, making it challenging to provide for their families adequately.
Moreover, education has resurfaced as a top priority for many like Rasha Al-Dos, a widow and mother of four, who has converted a parking garage into living spaces post-war. Balancing her teaching responsibilities at a local school with caring for her children symbolizes the resilience and determination of Gaza’s inhabitants to rebuild their lives amidst adversity.
Despite the challenges, Gaza residents are displaying remarkable resilience and determination in the face of ongoing hardships, emphasizing the urgent need for sustained support and intervention to rebuild their lives and restore a sense of normalcy in the region.