On Sunday, thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip following the opening of the Netzarim corridor by the Israeli military. This movement was part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, effective since January 19, 2025, which included the release of three Israeli hostages by Hamas.

 

The returnees, many of whom had been displaced for over a year due to the prolonged conflict, were met with scenes of extensive devastation. Entire neighborhoods lay in ruins, with homes reduced to rubble and infrastructure severely damaged. Husam, a father of four, described the ordeal: “We have lived through hell, moving from place to place, witnessing violence and destruction. Now, returning to nothing but debris, we face the daunting task of rebuilding our lives.”Â

Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high. Hamas has accused Israel of violating the agreement by imposing restrictions on the movement of Palestinians returning to northern Gaza, leading to delays and confrontations. The Israeli military has cited security concerns and ongoing operations as reasons for these limitations.

 

International reactions have been mixed. U.S. President Donald Trump proposed relocating Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries, an idea that was swiftly rejected by Egypt, Jordan, and Palestinian authorities, who emphasized the Palestinians’ right to their homeland.

As the ceasefire holds, the focus shifts to humanitarian efforts. Aid organizations are mobilizing to provide essential supplies and support for those returning to devastated areas. The United Nations has called for increased assistance to address the urgent needs of the population and to facilitate the reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure.

The situation remains fragile, with the success of the ceasefire and the return process hinging on continued diplomatic efforts and the commitment of all parties to uphold the terms of the agreement.

Below, drone footage showed large crowds of Palestinians streaming into the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday.