Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are eager to leave miserable tent camps and return to their homes if a long-awaited ceasefire agreement halts the Israel-Hamas war. But many will find there is nothing left and no way to rebuild. Israel’s bombardment and ground operations have transformed entire neighborhoods in several cities into charred wastelands. Blackened shells of buildings and mounds of rubble stretch away in all directions. Major roads have been plowed up. Critical water and electricity infrastructure is in ruins. Most hospitals no longer function. And it’s unclear when — or even if — much of it will be rebuilt.
