Tens of thousands of Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza for the first time since the early days of the war between Israel and Hamas. This significant movement comes as Israel lifted its closure of the north, allowing displaced residents to return to their homes, many of which have been heavily damaged or destroyed.
The return of these residents marks a dramatic reversal of their exodus 15 months ago. Joyous crowds, some carrying babies or pushing wheelchairs, walked along the seaside road, watched over by Israeli tanks on a nearby hill. The United Nations reported that over 200,000 people were observed moving north on Monday morning.
Many Palestinians who have been sheltering in squalid tent camps and former schools are eager to return to their homes, despite the likely damage. The return is seen as an act of steadfastness after Israel’s military campaign, which was launched in response to the Hamas militant group’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
The ceasefire, which has held into its second week, has allowed for this significant movement of people. However, the situation remains fragile, and the future of these displaced residents is uncertain as they return to their war-torn homes.
