In the ruins of northern Gaza, 23-year-old Esraa Shaheen stands firm in her determination to stay, even as US President Donald Trump proposes relocating Palestinians from the war-ravaged territory.

“You feel that you are not in control of your own life… that our lives are cheap,” she told the BBC, condemning Trump’s comments as provocative.

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Esraa recently completed a grueling seven-hour journey from Deir al-Balah back to her childhood neighborhood, a place now almost unrecognizable after months of Israeli bombardment. Despite the destruction, her joy at returning home and reuniting with her fiancé outweighed the hardships.

She had spent months sheltering in a crowded classroom in central Gaza, struggling with the lack of privacy and stability. When a temporary ceasefire allowed displaced families to return north, Esraa seized the opportunity.

Braving difficult terrain and massive crowds, she made her way back—first by car, then on foot, then by car again—through a Gaza she barely recognized.

“The destruction is indescribable. Mixed feelings, but joy prevails,” she said as she entered Gaza City, where her fiancé, Mohammad, greeted her with flowers.

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The reunion was bittersweet; while the warmth of homecoming lifted her spirits, the sight of her devastated neighborhood was heartbreaking.

“I could not recognize the places, nor the houses, nor the streets. The neighborhood is like a pile of stones.”

Esraa’s family home remains standing, but its windows and doors were blown off, and looters stripped the apartment of furniture, electronics, and cherished possessions.

With no electricity, no running water, and limited access to food, life in the north is a daily struggle. Storms have ripped away makeshift coverings, and she and her family rely on fires for warmth and cooking.

Yet, Esraa remains unwavering in her decision to stay. “There is no water, no electricity, no internet, but this joy [of returning home] was bigger than all of this,” she said.

“We will stay and we will rebuild our home.”

While many displaced Gazans consider leaving the north due to the dire conditions, Esraa’s resolve stands as a powerful act of defiance.

Her return is not just about reclaiming a home—it is about refusing to be erased from her land.