Gaza City — Thousands of displaced Palestinians began making their way back to their homes across the Gaza Strip on Friday, as a landmark ceasefire between Israel and Hamas officially came into effect, bringing an end to two years of devastating conflict.
The truce marks the launch of the first phase of a U.S.-backed peace plan, halting hostilities and initiating an initial withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the territory.
In a striking display of movement, crowds of men, women, and children formed a column stretching more than a kilometre as they walked northwards from central areas deemed safer during the fighting. Their destination: Gaza City, the Strip’s largest urban centre and one of the hardest-hit areas during the Israeli offensive.
Along the recently reopened Mediterranean coastal road, AFP journalists observed scenes of jubilation. People cheered, whistled, and chanted “God is great,” celebrating the newfound calm after years of turmoil.
Among the returnees was Ibrahim al-Helou, 40, originally from Gaza City but displaced to the Al-Maghazi refugee camp. His excitement was tempered by caution. “When I first tried to head home, the situation was dangerous, with gunfire, so I waited,” he explained. “Now, the road has been opened and we have all continued on our way back to Gaza to check on our homes and assess the situation.”
Ahmad Azzam, 35, also displaced from Gaza City, said he moved as soon as he heard of the Israeli troop redeployment. “When I heard news of the withdrawal and that the road would be opened in the coming hours, my family and I immediately headed to Al-Rashid Street to return to Gaza,” he told AFP. Initially, he waited on a nearby hill as only a few people ventured forward at the official pullback time.
The Israeli military confirmed Friday that its troops had “begun positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages.” It announced the reopening of Salah Al-Din Road, Gaza’s main north-south artery, but cautioned civilians to keep away from Israeli positions still inside the territory.
Government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian said on Thursday that the military would redeploy to the so-called Yellow Line, as part of a phased withdrawal under the U.S. peace plan. The initial stage will see Israel maintain control over roughly 53 percent of the Gaza Strip.
In the southern city of Khan Yunis, dozens of residents picked their way through streets littered with rubble to return to what remains of their homes. Entire buildings lay destroyed or gutted by two years of bombardment.
“We’re happy. Even if we return to ruins with no life, at least it’s our land,” said Ameer Abu Iyadeh, 32, smiling as he carried a pink school backpack and a jerrycan of water. “We’re going back to our areas, full of wounds and sorrow, but we thank God for this situation. God willing, everyone will return to their areas.” His two daughters walked beside him as they navigated the wreckage.
The ceasefire, brokered with the involvement of international mediators, also includes provisions for a hostage and prisoner exchange. All parties signed the first phase of the agreement in Egypt, and Israel has said the release of the remaining Israeli captives — both alive and deceased — is expected to “bring the end to this war.”
