Nearly a year after the cease-fire that followed the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Gaza Strip remains marked by ongoing violence and hardship. Despite a significant reduction in the frequency of Israeli strikes, more than 1,400 people in Gaza have been reported killed since the truce took effect, according to local health officials. Israel maintains that its military operations continue to target Hamas militants within the territory.

In the face of these challenges, residents of Gaza are attempting to rebuild their lives and economic activities amid widespread destruction. Many are engaging in efforts to restore homes, businesses, and infrastructure, often using whatever materials they can find in the aftermath of the conflict.

One such individual is Jaafar Atallah, 28, whose family once operated a factory producing clay bowls and vases near their home in the al-Waha area in northern Gaza. After their residence was destroyed during Israel’s military campaign, the Atallah family relocated their business to al-Zawaydeh, a town in central Gaza. Without access to the heavy machinery required for traditional clay extraction, they have adapted by sourcing raw materials from bomb craters left by Israeli strikes. “We go to a crater from an Israeli bombing, because there you can get to the clay,” Mr. Atallah explained. “We dig it out, purify it and get to work.”

Despite ongoing military operations, economic hardships, displacement, and shortages of resources, many Palestinians in Gaza continue to pursue reconstruction and sustain their livelihoods. Some are reopening businesses or launching new ventures, reflecting a persistent desire for stability and normalcy amid the protracted conflict.