In a poignant moment of relief, tens of thousands of displaced Gaza residents began their journey back to the ruins of their homes on Monday after months in exile. This return was made possible when Israel opened a corridor into northern Gaza, following a fragile ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Hamas.
At first light, video footage captured a massive convoy of people walking toward northern Gaza, clutching their belongings and children. Many had spent over 470 days living in makeshift tents or temporary camps, holding onto hope that one day they would return home.
Fadi Al Sinwar, a resident of Gaza City, expressed his emotions, saying, “We miss our home. We have been living in tents for 470 days.” Similarly, Nadia Qassem, from Al Shati Refugee Camp, told CNN, “We have been waiting for this day for so long.” Despite the likelihood of finding only rubble where their houses once stood, Qassem added, “We want to return home … Even though my house is destroyed. I miss my land and my place.”
The return was delayed by 48 hours due to tensions between Israel and Hamas, with Israel accusing the group of breaching the ceasefire terms related to the release of hostage Arbel Yehud. After renewed negotiations, Hamas and Israel agreed to release additional hostages on Thursday and Saturday, paving the way for displaced residents to return.
According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, the Netzarim corridor opened Monday morning, allowing Gaza residents to return on foot via the Al Rasheed coastal road. Vehicular traffic was also permitted through the inland Salah al-Din road after inspections. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz reassured that ceasefire rules would be strictly enforced, warning that any violations would face severe consequences.
Hamas celebrated the return of the displaced as “a victory for our people and a declaration of the failure and defeat of the occupation.” However, the decision faced backlash from Israel’s far-right political figures, with former National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticizing the move as a “total surrender.”
Tensions surrounding the fragile truce heightened over the weekend after former US President Donald Trump proposed relocating hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt. Speaking to reporters, Trump referred to Gaza as a “demolition site” and suggested that housing Palestinians elsewhere might offer them “a chance to live in peace for a change.”
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However, both Jordan and Egypt vehemently rejected the idea, condemning it as a forced displacement that would strip Palestinians of their homeland. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi reaffirmed the country’s commitment to ensuring Palestinians remain on their land, declaring, “Jordan is for Jordanians, and Palestine is for Palestinians.” Similarly, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that such actions could destabilize the region and prolong the conflict.
Trump’s remarks were met with sharp criticism from Palestinian leaders and human rights organizations, who labeled the proposal as ethnic cleansing and a potential war crime. They also pointed out that the comments diverged from the long-standing US policy of advocating for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As Gaza residents take their first steps back to what remains of their homes, the situation underscores the enduring challenges of displacement, loss, and geopolitical tension. While many return to rubble, their resilience stands as a testament to their unwavering connection to their land, even amidst the ongoing struggle for peace and stability in the region.
