Maha Thaer, a mother of four, describes the grim scene upon returning to her home in Khan Younis following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Gaza.
Upon surveying the devastation, Thaer expresses despair, stating, “The odor is reminiscent of death.” She recounts her emotional turmoil as she navigates the rubble-filled streets of what was once her city, unable to contain her tears.
Thaer, aged 38, shares her observations from Sunday, lamenting, “Our city is no more; it’s reduced to rubble. There’s nothing left. I witnessed people excavating and recovering bodies.” Her own home, partially destroyed, bears witness to the widespread destruction.
As news of the Israeli army’s retreat spreads, residents of Khan Younis venture out to assess the damage to their homes. Previously home to nearly 400,000 people, the area now lies in ruins after enduring months of Israeli airstrikes and intense combat.
From the southern reaches of Rafah, a procession of men and boys, utilizing donkey carts, bicycles, and sporadic pick-up trucks, begins a journey northward. This exodus from the Gaza Strip, where over 1.5 million Palestinians sought refuge amidst the onslaught, passes by the charred remnants of Dar Essalam Hospital, surrounded by leveled structures.
Thaer, hailing from the affluent Hamad City district in western Khan Younis, expresses profound shock and sorrow. She describes the scene of her neighborhood, stating, “There were no intact walls or windows. Most of the towers lay in ruins.”
Despite the unsuitability of her badly damaged apartment, Thaer resolves to return, deeming it preferable to living in tents amidst the devastation.
