The IDF escorted a rare guided visit to Shejaiya, revealing extensive destruction after intense fighting. Officials say remains of several hostages were found there; 21 bodies have been returned and 7 remain in Gaza, including Israeli-American soldier Itay Chen. The ceasefire has largely held for nearly a month and humanitarian aid deliveries have increased, but sporadic violence and uncertainty over demilitarization and funding for a $70 billion reconstruction leave Gaza’s future uncertain.
Inside Shejaiya: Guided IDF Visit Reveals Widespread Devastation, Hostage Remains and an Uncertain Ceasefire
The IDF escorted a rare guided visit to Shejaiya, revealing extensive destruction after intense fighting. Officials say remains of several hostages were found there; 21 bodies have been returned and 7 remain in Gaza, including Israeli-American soldier Itay Chen. The ceasefire has largely held for nearly a month and humanitarian aid deliveries have increased, but sporadic violence and uncertainty over demilitarization and funding for a $70 billion reconstruction leave Gaza’s future uncertain.
05:55, 06.11.2025Conflict
Shejaiya, Gaza Strip — A rare, tightly controlled visit
On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces escorted a CBS News team for one of the few closely supervised trips deep into the Gaza Strip, bringing reporters to the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City. The district, which saw some of the fiercest fighting before a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, now lies in near-total ruin.
The IDF reported that the remains of several deceased hostages were discovered amid the rubble in Shejaiya. In total, 21 bodies have been returned from Gaza so far, including Israeli-American soldier Itay Chen, whose remains were brought back to Israel on Tuesday night.
The military led reporters to a position a few hundred yards from the so-called "yellow line," the new boundary from which Israeli forces have withdrawn under the ceasefire. Since the start of the conflict, the IDF has generally not allowed foreign outlets to report independently inside Gaza, though it has organized a limited number of guided media tours.
The yellow line effectively bisects the Gaza Strip; the IDF controls much of the eastern half along the border. Most of Gaza's roughly 2 million residents have been displaced inside that line and are living amid rubble and destruction after two harrowing years of conflict.
Security, governance and humanitarian access
Reports indicate Hamas has attempted to reassert authority in areas inside the yellow line, including detaining rivals and, according to some reports, carrying out executions of those accused of collaborating with Israel. Despite repeated mutual accusations of breaches, the ceasefire has largely held for nearly a month, though intermittent deadly incidents have tested the truce.
Humanitarian access has increased: more trucks carrying food, fuel and other aid are entering Gaza. Still, the process of returning the bodies of hostages to Israel has been slower than many expected; seven deceased captives reportedly remain in Gaza.
What comes next?
The United Nations estimates roughly $70 billion will be needed to rebuild the Gaza Strip, but funding sources and a reconstruction timetable remain unclear. Former President Donald Trump proposed a 20-point peace plan that mentions a development program to be designed by experts and calls for Gaza's demilitarization, but it offers few concrete details and many observers doubt Hamas would fully disarm willingly.
If demilitarization does not occur, Israel may be reluctant to complete withdrawals envisioned by the plan. Should the political and reconstruction agendas falter, Gazans could be left in prolonged limbo with limited prospects for rebuilding their lives and homes.
Key facts: Guided IDF visit to Shejaiya; widespread destruction; 21 bodies returned (7 still in Gaza); ceasefire has held nearly a month; UN estimates $70B for reconstruction.