Fears of Continued Blockade: Gaza Displaced Demand Temporary Homes Instead of Tents

After months of war and displacement, Gaza's displaced are demanding temporary homes (caravans) instead of tents, amid fears of a continued blockade and renewed war. Families live in tents in unsuitable shelters and stress the need for a real ceasefire and the start of reconstruction. The occupation controls 70% of the Strip, and Netanyahu rejects the Cairo plan of 15 clauses.

After long months of war and forced displacement, the people of the Gaza Strip live under the weight of the occupation's ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement, amid calls to stop the bombing and Israeli genocide crimes, and to begin rebuilding what the war destroyed. Families who lost their homes look forward to returning to their residential areas and obtaining temporary caravans to shelter them until a comprehensive reconstruction process begins, while others demand opening crossings, bringing in food and medicine, and lifting restrictions. But citizens' hopes collide with great fears of continued military aggression, and threats by occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his army commanders about the possibility of renewed war on a larger scale, amid disputes surrounding the implementation of the next phase of US President Donald Trump's plan. In one shelter in Gaza City, the dreams of displaced families begin with the simplest things: a roof that the wind does not tear, walls that protect children, and a place where they can close the door at night to keep out rats. Families whose homes were destroyed by the occupation army during the war stress that, as much as they need full homes, a caravan that preserves their privacy, potable water, electricity, a toilet, and a safe place to sleep would suffice for now. Maryam Deeb (50), who lost her home in Jabalia camp, says: "We want a real ceasefire that is an actual beginning of returning to life, not just a short period of calm." Maryam and her family of seven live under a tent roof at the fishermen's port west of Gaza City. In another shelter unfit for human life, Rana Saber (24) and her family are going through a painful experience after the war destroyed their home in Beit Lahia, leaving her facing the tragedy of displacement in a tent pitched next to the Yarmouk landfill. As for Alaa al-Sharbasi, who lost his home in Shujaiya neighborhood, he sums up his aspirations in turning the truce into a long path leading to stability and the withdrawal of the occupation from Gaza. Occupation forces control vast areas of the Strip estimated at about 70 percent behind the so-called "Yellow Line," and continue demolition and destruction operations of what remains of residential homes. The displaced no longer believe in a ceasefire unless it is accompanied by guarantees that prevent the return of war, force the occupation to withdraw, and allow the entry of aid, removal of rubble, and rebuilding of homes and infrastructure.