The Devastation of Khan Yunis: A City in Ruins
The southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis lies in ruins, with its residents returning to find their homes destroyed and their streets filled with rubble. The aftermath of heavy fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants has left nearly 400,000 people displaced and struggling to rebuild their lives.
A Mother’s Heartbreak
Maha Thaer, a mother of four, described the scene upon her return to Khan Yunis as heartbreaking. “It smells like death,” she said, as she walked through the devastated streets. “We don’t have a city anymore – only rubble. There is absolutely nothing left.”
Thaer’s home was partially destroyed, and she was overcome with emotion as she witnessed the destruction around her. “All the streets have been bulldozed. And the smell… I watched people digging and bringing out the bodies,” she recounted.
The Devastation Unveiled
As Israeli troops withdrew from Khan Yunis, the residents emerged to find a landscape of destruction. Homes lay in ruins, with walls and windows blown out, leaving many with no place to go. The once-thriving city now resembled a war zone, with buildings razed to the ground and rubble strewn across the streets.
The toll of the conflict was evident in the faces of those who returned to find their homes destroyed. Some carried mattresses on their heads, hoping to find shelter amidst the devastation. Others climbed on top of rubble heaps, surveying the destruction that had befallen their city.
A City in Ruins
Photographs captured by AFP showed the extent of the devastation in Khan Yunis. Not a single structure appeared untouched by the war, with large swathes of the city flattened by the relentless bombardment. The Al-Salam hospital stood as a burned-out shell, a stark reminder of the violence that had ravaged the city.
The Human Cost
The Gaza war, which began on October 7, has taken a heavy toll on both sides. Israeli figures show that 1,170 people, mostly civilians, have lost their lives in the conflict. In Gaza, at least 33,175 people have been killed, with women and children bearing the brunt of the violence.
Moving Forward
Despite the devastation, residents like Maha Thaer are determined to rebuild their lives. Thaer plans to move back into her damaged apartment, determined to make it livable once again. Her neighbors, however, face an uncertain future as they grapple with the loss of their homes and livelihoods.
As Khan Yunis begins the long process of recovery, the international community must come together to support those affected by the conflict. The road ahead will be challenging, but with resilience and determination, the people of Khan Yunis will rebuild their city from the ruins left behind by war.