Raja Razek
CNN / January 20, 2025
The respite from violence in Gaza means that many Palestinians displaced during Israel’s war are returning home — but one Gazan told CNN the moment was “bittersweet” as so many houses have been reduced to rubble.
Almost all housing in Gaza has been destroyed or damaged during Israel’s war on Hamas, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Some 436,000 housing units — 92% of Gaza’s homes — have been affected, with 160,000 destroyed and 276,000 severely or partially damaged, OCHA said.
Additionally, more than 1.8 million people are in urgent need of emergency shelter and essential household items.
The UN said on its website that approximately 90% of the population across Gaza have been displaced, many of whom have been forced to move repeatedly, “some 10 times or more.”
“Much of Gaza is rubble, while Israeli airstrikes and military operations have damaged or destroyed around 60 per cent of buildings, including homes, schools and hospitals,” according to the UN.
“The relentless bombing campaign has pushed healthcare to the brink, the solid waste system has collapsed, causing serious environmental and health risks, and the water system has been drastically cut.”
