Gazans Return to Devastated Homes Amid Ceasefire
DEIR EL-BALAH, GAZA:
Thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning to their devastated homes on Sunday following the implementation of a long-awaited truce between Israel and Hamas, which had been delayed.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas released three Israeli women hostages—Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher—who reunited with their families. A senior Hamas official confirmed plans for further hostage releases on Saturday.
The ceasefire, which started nearly three hours later than planned, followed Israeli airstrikes that killed 19 people and injured 25 others. Shortly after the truce began, humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza, offering relief to residents returning to ruins.
Carrying personal belongings, thousands of Gazans made their way back to areas ravaged by over 15 months of conflict, which displaced most of the population multiple times. In Jabalia, a northern region, residents faced scenes of widespread destruction. “There is nothing left in the north worth living for,” said Walid Abu Jiab, who returned to his demolished neighborhood.
Northern Gaza remains particularly devastated, with severe shortages of essentials like food, water, and shelter, according to aid workers. Meanwhile, in Khan Yunis, residents expressed hope for their return. “I am longing for Gaza City and our loved ones,” said Wafa al-Habeel.
As aid trucks entered Gaza, Jonathan Whittall, interim chief of the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for Palestinian territories, described the effort as monumental. Egyptian sources confirmed the entry of 260 aid trucks and 16 fuel trucks, while plans aim to increase daily crossings to 600 trucks.
The truce, brokered by Qatari, US, and Egyptian mediators, is set to last for 42 days. It allows for increased humanitarian aid and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.
On Sunday, the first three hostages crossed into Israel, while dozens of Palestinian prisoners were also set to be freed. A total of 33 Israeli hostages, including 31 taken during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, are expected to be released during the truce.
The humanitarian crisis has drawn international attention. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the importance of both sides adhering to the ceasefire to facilitate aid delivery. US President Joe Biden welcomed the truce, expressing hope for relief after immense suffering and loss of life.
The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 7 attack—the deadliest in Israel’s history—resulted in 1,210 Israeli deaths. Israel’s subsequent military campaign devastated Gaza, claiming over 46,913 lives, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry.
