Pakistan, Dec. 11 -- As winter deepens in Gaza, displaced Palestinians return daily to the shattered remains of their homes to pull out iron rods buried under layers of concrete. These metal bars have become essential for building makeshift tents or selling for a small income, as the enclave struggles through a devastating post-war reality. Moreover, residents say the long recovery ahead leaves them with no option but to salvage whatever they can.

The iron rods, once supporting multi-storey homes, are now twisted through millions of tonnes of rubble left by months of heavy Israeli bombardment. Many Gazans spend days breaking cement with basic tools such as shovels, hammers, and pickaxes. Furthermore, the work is painfully slow, yet it re...