GAZA: Shell-shocked Gazans on Monday sifted through the rubble of three days of deadly strikes by Israel as a truce held with the Islamic Jihad and life slowly returned to normal with power restored.
The sole power plant in the blockaded enclave “started working to generate electricity” after a two-day shutdown, distributor spokesman Mohammed Thabet told media, hours after fuel trucks for the plant entered Gaza.
A ceasefire reached late on Sunday has raised hopes of ending the intense attacks that killed 44 people according to Gaza’s health ministry, with 15 children among the dead.
The power shutdown on Saturday had sparked concern about the impact on hospitals treating casualties and on other vital services, amid the worst fighting in Gaza since an 11-day war last year.
The Israeli military said roads would slowly reopen in the border area. “It was decided to gradually lift the restrictions,” which have seen Israelis living near Gaza remain close to their bomb shelters, the army said.
Across areas hit by air strikes in Gaza, Palestinians tried on Monday to salvage belongings from the rubble of shattered homes and to start clearing the debris.
Mohammed Alai, who lives east of Gaza City, described the situation as “tragic and tough”.
“We have a lot of martyrs and wounded, and devastation and destruction, but Gaza is tending to its wounds,” he said.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the ceasefire and thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for his country’s role in brokering it. –Agencies
