Tens of thousands return to ravaged northern Gaza as Israel lifts closure under truce

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have begun returning home in northern Gaza, as Israel for the first time in 15 months lifted its closure of the area. Israel and Hamas are taking new steps to wind down a protracted conflict and facilitate the release of hostages under a fragile ceasefire sealing their weekend agreement.

On Monday morning, teeming masses of Palestinians, carrying their belongings, poured through the Netzarim corridor into northern Gaza. It was a powerful reverse image of the mass exodus at the start of the war last October 2023. Many had been huddled in squalid conditions in tent camps and repurposed schools in the south, anxious for the green light to go home.

But the euphoria of return has also meant coming to terms with the enormity of the destruction: tons of homes and infrastructure badly wrecked or reduced to rubble in heavy fighting. Yasmin Abu Amshah, a mother of three, walked nearly four miles to reach her home in Gaza City-only to find it still standing but damaged. She also was reunited with her younger sister for the first time in over a year and said the return was a happy one, despite the long journey.

Ceasefire and Hostage Releases

A ceasefire agreement with the release of hostages has helped the residents to return. Hamas has agreed to free several Israeli hostages, including civilians and soldiers, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The deal allows the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza. This ceasefire, starting from January 19, 2025, aims to end the deadliest and most destructive war between Israel and Hamas.

The ceasefire has brought a glimmer of hope in this never-ending saga, though the situation remains fragile. The international community is closely monitoring adherence to the terms of the ceasefire and the ongoing humanitarian efforts in the region. The return of residents into northern Gaza is a major step back toward normalcy, though rebuilding and recovery will take a long time and substantial support.

The lifting of the closure in northern Gaza under the ceasefire agreement finally saw tens of thousands of Palestinians being able to head home. Every corner seemed to exude resilience and determination to begin this hard way of rebuilding among residents who practically saw everything torn to bits.