Gaza Ceasefire Set to Begin, But What Remains?

Ceasefire to Take Effect, but Gaza Faces a Devastated Landscape

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is set to take effect on Sunday, January 19, following an agreement reached to end Israel’s 15-month-long assault on Gaza. The three-phase deal includes:

• A temporary ceasefire.
• The release of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners.
• The return of displaced Palestinians to their homes—though many have been completely destroyed.

But what exactly are the displaced returning to in Gaza?

What’s Left of Gaza’s Population?

Since the war began on October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks have killed at least 46,707 Palestinians and injured 110,265, an average of 100 deaths per day over the past 467 days.

• Gaza’s population, originally 2.3 million, has shrunk by 6% due to deaths and displacement.
• 9 out of 10 Gazans have been displaced, many multiple times.
• 11,160 people are still missing, likely buried under 42 million tonnes of rubble.
• 100,000 Palestinians have left Gaza entirely.

What’s Left of Gaza’s Infrastructure?

Gaza has suffered one of the worst destruction rates in modern conflicts. According to U.S. researchers Jamon Van Den Hoek and Corey Scher:

• 60% of all buildings in Gaza have been destroyed.
• 68% of roads are damaged or impassable.
• 92% of homes have been damaged or destroyed.
• 88% of schools have been reduced to rubble.
• Half of Gaza’s hospitals are barely functioning.

Experts estimate it could take at least a decade just to clear the 42 million tonnes of debris, let alone rebuild.

What’s Left of Gaza’s Schools?

Education in Gaza has collapsed, with 625,000 school-age children missing a full year of formal education. The destruction includes:

• 88% of schools (496 out of 564) damaged or destroyed.
• All university buildings completely destroyed.
• At least 503 teachers and staff killed.

Many schools that remain standing are now makeshift shelters for displaced families, making it unlikely they will resume normal operations soon.

What’s Left of Gaza’s Homes?

Entire neighborhoods have been obliterated, leaving millions reliant on humanitarian aid for survival:

• 92% of housing units (436,000 homes) are damaged or destroyed.
• 80% of commercial facilities have been wiped out.
• 9 out of every 10 Palestinians are homeless.

What’s Left of Gaza’s Hospitals?

Gaza’s medical infrastructure is on the brink of total collapse. Israeli airstrikes have repeatedly hit hospitals, violating humanitarian protections.

• Only half of Gaza’s hospitals are still partially operational.
• The only functioning hospital in North Gaza is at risk of closure.
• Hospitals like Al-Aqsa, Nasser, and the European Hospital are running critically low on supplies and face imminent shutdown.

Even after a ceasefire, Gaza’s hospitals will require complete rebuilding, medical supplies, and electricity restoration before they can operate again.

What’s Left of Gaza’s Agriculture?

The destruction of Gaza’s farmland threatens its long-term food security:

• 68% of agricultural land has been destroyed.
• Livestock and irrigation systems have been wiped out.
• Soil contamination from explosives will make farming nearly impossible.

The process of restoring Gaza’s farmland will require massive financial aid and soil decontamination efforts.

What’s Left of Gaza’s Roads?

Gaza’s road infrastructure has suffered extreme damage, further complicating humanitarian aid delivery:

• 1,190km (740 miles) of roads destroyed.
• 415km (258 miles) severely damaged.
• 1,440km (895 miles) moderately damaged.
• 65% of Gaza’s total road network is unusable.

Rebuilding transportation infrastructure will be critical to restoring normal life and facilitating reconstruction efforts.

The Challenge of Rebuilding Gaza

With over 60% of Gaza’s buildings reduced to rubble, the ceasefire provides only a first step toward recovery. Experts warn that decades of international support and funding will be required to restore homes, schools, hospitals, and roads.

While displaced Palestinians may return, they will find little left of their former lives—a grim reality that underscores the immense challenge of rebuilding Gaza.