• Ahmad Nassr, 50, at the ruins of his home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip. Human Rights Watch said the destruction of Gaza 'reflects a calculated Israeli policy to make parts of the strip unliveable'. All photos: AFP
    Ahmad Nassr, 50, at the ruins of his home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip. Human Rights Watch said the destruction of Gaza 'reflects a calculated Israeli policy to make parts of the strip unliveable'. All photos: AFP
  • Twins Omar and Ahmad Jubeiri, 25, revisit their home in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip
    Twins Omar and Ahmad Jubeiri, 25, revisit their home in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip
  • TOPSHOT - Shahira Sammour, 49, poses in front of her destroyed home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, on February 9, 2025. Israel's military offensive in response to Hamas's October 7,2023, attack has left much of Gaza in ruins, including schools, hospitals and most civil infrastructure. Human Rights Watch said the destruction of Gaza "reflects a calculated Israeli policy to make parts of the strip unlivable". Last week, US President Donald Trump floated the idea of US administration over Gaza, envisioning rebuilding the devastated territory into the "Riviera of the Middle East" after resettling Palestinians elsewhere, namely Egypt and Jordan. The remarks have prompted global backlash, and Arab countries have firmly rejected the proposal, insisting on a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. (Photo by Bashar TALEB / AFP)
    TOPSHOT - Shahira Sammour, 49, poses in front of her destroyed home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, on February 9, 2025. Israel's military offensive in response to Hamas's October 7,2023, attack has left much of Gaza in ruins, including schools, hospitals and most civil infrastructure. Human Rights Watch said the destruction of Gaza "reflects a calculated Israeli policy to make parts of the strip unlivable". Last week, US President Donald Trump floated the idea of US administration over Gaza, envisioning rebuilding the devastated territory into the "Riviera of the Middle East" after resettling Palestinians elsewhere, namely Egypt and Jordan. The remarks have prompted global backlash, and Arab countries have firmly rejected the proposal, insisting on a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. (Photo by Bashar TALEB / AFP)
  • Talal Al Assali, 64, surveys the destruction of his home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
    Talal Al Assali, 64, surveys the destruction of his home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
  • Fadwa Taleb, 54, surrounded by the rubble of her home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
    Fadwa Taleb, 54, surrounded by the rubble of her home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
  • The home of Bassel Jubeiri, 30, in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, is a shell
    The home of Bassel Jubeiri, 30, in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, is a shell
  • Mohammed Awwad, 36, at what is left of his home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
    Mohammed Awwad, 36, at what is left of his home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
  • Bombing robbed Gazans of all ages of shelter. Maram Al Assali, 12, in front of her home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
    Bombing robbed Gazans of all ages of shelter. Maram Al Assali, 12, in front of her home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
  • Omar Madhoun, 19, outside his home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
    Omar Madhoun, 19, outside his home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
  • AbdulRahman Atwe, 67, in front of his home in Jabalia
    AbdulRahman Atwe, 67, in front of his home in Jabalia
  • Mohammed Abdulla, 39, with the remains of his home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
    Mohammed Abdulla, 39, with the remains of his home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
  • Many Gazans, like AbdulKarim Shehade, 72, wear a look of grim determination when visiting the rubble of home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
    Many Gazans, like AbdulKarim Shehade, 72, wear a look of grim determination when visiting the rubble of home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
  • Yazan Kanoua, 10, in front of his destroyed home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
    Yazan Kanoua, 10, in front of his destroyed home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
  • Jamal Abu Saada, 55, at his home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, where residents bring a sense of some normality
    Jamal Abu Saada, 55, at his home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, where residents bring a sense of some normality
  • Mohammed Taluli, 57, poses in front of the grey vista of ruined Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip
    Mohammed Taluli, 57, poses in front of the grey vista of ruined Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip
  • Sabah Al Turk, 64, at her home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
    Sabah Al Turk, 64, at her home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
  • Khaled Ayyash, 66, at his home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
    Khaled Ayyash, 66, at his home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
  • Ali Al Qanoua, 73, at home in Jabalia
    Ali Al Qanoua, 73, at home in Jabalia
  • Mohammed Ghneim, 84, and his wife Aisha, 71, surrounded by the ruins of their Jabalia home
    Mohammed Ghneim, 84, and his wife Aisha, 71, surrounded by the ruins of their Jabalia home
  • Hussein Abu Elba, 70, at the cavernous remains of home in Jabalia
    Hussein Abu Elba, 70, at the cavernous remains of home in Jabalia
  • Mohammed Kanoua, 80, poses in front of his destroyed home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip
    Mohammed Kanoua, 80, poses in front of his destroyed home in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip

News

MENA

Portraits of lives in ruin: Gazans return to destroyed homes in Jabalia - in pictures

Twenty-one Palestinians offer glimpse of new reality after returning to their properties

The National

February 10, 2025

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Updated: February 10, 2025, 7:42 AM
Photography