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“Palestinians Flood Back to Northern Gaza, Celebrating Ceasefire”
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are pouring back into northern Gaza, many for the first time since the beginning of the 15-month war. The flood of returning civilians comes after the opening of the Netzarim corridor, which separates northern Gaza from the rest of the enclave, was delayed for two days due to Israel’s disputes with Hamas. The corridor’s opening is part of a ceasefire agreement aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas.
The war, which was sparked by a Hamas attack inside Israel, has resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the displacement of over 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people. Despite the devastation, many who have returned to northern Gaza are expressing joy and relief at being able to reunite with loved ones and see what remains of their homes.
Umm Mohammed Ali, a Palestinian mother, described the feeling of returning as “like being born again.” Osama, a public servant and father of five, stated that even if the ceasefire fails, he will never leave northern Gaza again. “Whether the ceasefire succeeds or not, we will never leave Gaza City and the north again, even if Israel would send a tank for each one of us, no more displacement,” he said.
The return of so many people is a significant milestone in the conflict, and the Palestinian response is one of jubilation. Hamas has so far released seven Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of over 300 Palestinian prisoners, including many serving life sentences for deadly attacks on Israelis. Under the second phase of the ceasefire, Hamas will release another 25 hostages. However, the release of the remaining 60-odd hostages, many of whom are believed to be dead, remains a sticking point in the negotiations.
The mood in Gaza is one of celebration, with people singing, praying, and crying as they are reunited with relatives. Yasmin Abu Amshah, a mother of three, described her four-mile journey to reach her damaged but habitable home in Gaza City as a “long trip, but a happy one.” She also saw her younger sister for the first time in over a year.
While the ceasefire agreement is a significant step towards peace, the conflict is far from over. Many questions remain, including the fate of the remaining hostages and the long-term prospects for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
