Gaza City: More than half a million displaced Palestinians have returned to Gaza City following the implementation of a ceasefire on Friday, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency. As displaced residents make their way back, many are witnessing the extensive destruction firsthand, while others are relieved to find their homes still intact.
According to France24.com, the civil defence agency, which operates under Hamas authority, reported on Saturday that over 500,000 people have returned to Gaza City since the ceasefire began. Mahmud Bassal, a spokesperson for the civil defence, confirmed the significant number of returnees and highlighted the mixed reactions of the residents as they assessed the impact of the conflict on their homes and neighborhoods.
Among those returning to the city is a resident who discovered her house in the Al-Rimal neighborhood reduced to rubble. “It no longer exists. It’s just a pile of rubble,” she said, expressing the emotional toll of seeing her home destroyed. The ceasefire, proposed by US President Donald Trump, includes a prisoner exchange where Hamas is set to release 47 remaining hostages, along with the remains of another held since 2014, in return for Israel releasing 250 prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 detained Gazans.
The ceasefire was marked by the withdrawal of Israeli forces from some areas, setting a 72-hour timeline for the release of hostages by Hamas. The truce, hailed by Hamas and its allies as a setback to Israel’s alleged intentions, is seen as a chance to prevent further displacement of Palestinians. President Trump expressed optimism about the ceasefire, indicating plans for diplomatic engagement in the region.
Despite the ceasefire, several aspects of the peace proposal remain unresolved, including post-war governance and the disarmament of Hamas. Residents returning to the city, like Saher Abu Al-Atta, are confronted with scenes of devastation, as seen at Al-Rantisi hospital, where wards are left in ruins.
The United Nations, which declared a famine in Gaza City prior to the recent conflict, is preparing to deliver 170,000 tonnes of aid as part of a humanitarian response plan. The aid will address urgent needs such as medical equipment, food, water, and shelter, as highlighted by Jacob Granger of Doctors Without Borders.
The streets of Gaza City are marked by rubble as families return, some on foot, carrying their belongings. Sami Musa, a resident who found his family’s home still standing, albeit damaged, noted the eerie silence of the city. “It felt like a ghost town, not Gaza,” he remarked. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 67,682 people killed, more than half of whom are women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. The war was triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths.