Gazans face tough choices as their future is debated on the global stage

In Jabalia, a town in northern Gaza, residents are facing difficult decisions about their future as the world watches. Once a lively refugee camp, Jabalia now resembles a war-torn landscape. The destruction is overwhelming, with buildings reduced to rubble and debris scattered everywhere. From above, the scene is reminiscent of a disaster zone, with collapsed structures and twisted metal creating a chaotic view. Despite the devastation, life is slowly returning to Jabalia. Small tent camps have been set up in open areas, and people are trying to rebuild their lives. Children can be seen playing on the ruins, and makeshift markets are emerging under tarps and tin roofs. After more than six weeks of a fragile ceasefire, Jabalia is beginning to show signs of life again. Many residents, like Nabil, have returned to find their homes either damaged or completely destroyed. Nabil stands near a large pile of rubble, surveying the remains of his neighborhood. He expresses his frustration, saying, 'Look at the destruction. They want us to leave without rebuilding it? How can we leave? The least we can do is rebuild it for our children. ' To prepare meals, Nabil has resorted to lighting a fire on the bare staircase, using pieces of cardboard to stoke the flames. Laila, another resident, is concerned about the younger generation who are missing out on education. She explains, 'There's no water, electricity, or sewage. If we need water, we have to go to a far place to fill up buckets. ' Laila feels heartbroken when she returns to her home and sees the damage. She holds both Israel and Hamas responsible for the destruction of her life. 'Both of them are responsible,' she states. 'We had a decent, comfortable life. ' When the conflict began in October 2023, Israel advised Palestinians in northern Gaza, including Jabalia, to move south for their safety. While many heeded the warning, others chose to stay, determined to endure the war. Laila and her husband, Marwan, remained until the situation became too dangerous. After two months of seeking refuge in a nearby camp, they returned to find Jabalia almost unrecognizable. Marwan reflects on their return, saying, 'When we came back and saw how it was destroyed, I didn't want to stay here anymore. I had a wonderful life, but now it's a hell. If I have the chance to leave, I'll go. I won't stay one more minute. ' The future of Gaza's civilian population is now a topic of international discussion. In February, Donald Trump proposed that the United States should take control of Gaza and suggested that nearly two million Palestinian residents should leave, possibly for good. This idea sparked outrage and strong opposition from Arab leaders, leading Trump to backtrack on his proposal, stating that he would not force anyone to leave. Meanwhile, Egypt is leading efforts to find a viable alternative for the people of Gaza, which will be presented at an emergency Arab summit in Cairo. The proposal emphasizes that the Palestinian population should remain in Gaza while the area is reconstructed. Laila expresses her determination, saying, 'If Trump wants to make us leave, I'll stay in Gaza. I want to travel on my own free will. I won't leave because of him. ' Nearby, a nine-story apartment building stands in a precarious state, with its upper floors caved in. It is hard to believe it hasn't collapsed yet, but families continue to live there, hanging sheets in the windows and drying clothes in the sun. Outside a makeshift shop, a headless mannequin wearing a wedding dress stands next to piles of rubble. This is Sanaa's dress shop. Sanaa, a seamstress and mother of eleven, had to abandon her business when she fled south during the conflict. However, she returned as soon as the ceasefire was announced, eager to rebuild her life. 'I love Jabalia camp,' she declares, 'and I won't leave it till I die. ' Both Sanaa and Laila are determined to stay in Jabalia, but they worry about the future of the children. Laila speaks of her granddaughter, who is not receiving an education. 'She doesn't even know how to write her own name,' Laila laments. The little girl's mother was killed during the war, and Laila feels a deep responsibility to care for her granddaughter. 'If I have the chance to travel, I will do so for the sake of my granddaughter.