KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — As a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas took shape on Sunday, many Palestinians began making their way back to the remnants of their homes, which they had vacated during the prolonged 15-month conflict. Majida Abu Jarad wasted no time in preparing to leave her temporary accommodations in a vast tent city named Muwasi, situated just north of Gaza’s southern border with Egypt.
Initially forced to flee from their home in the northern district of Beit Hanoun, where they cherished evenings together amid the fragrances of roses and jasmine, Abu Jarad and her family had experienced a year full of perpetual displacement. She, her husband, and their six daughters had been compelled to move seven times in total due to consecutive evacuation orders from the Israeli military.
Each uprooting made their lives increasingly unrecognizable, as they found themselves huddled with strangers in school classrooms or trying to find basic necessities in sprawling makeshift camps. Now, the family is ready to embark on their journey back home—or what is left of it—eager to reunite with relatives who had remained in northern Gaza. “Once we heard they announced the truce for Sunday, we immediately started packing our belongings, regardless of the fact that we were still living in tents,” she revealed.
The hostilities in Gaza erupted following a surprise attack by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, primarily civilians, with around 250 individuals taken hostage. Reports indicate that around 100 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza, and many are thought to be deceased.
The subsequent Israeli military response has devastated vast parts of Gaza, displacing around 1.9 million people out of a total resident population of 2.3 million. The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, attributing more than half of these casualties to women and children, though it does not specify how many were combatants. Meanwhile, the Israeli military claims that it has killed over 17,000 militants, although it hasn’t provided any verification for these figures.
A significant number of Palestinians began their journey back home even before the ceasefire was enacted, traversing the wreckage with some walking while others transported their belongings on donkey carts. “They’re returning to search for their loved ones buried under the rubble,” stated Mohamed Mahdi, a displaced father who was forced to flee his home in Gaza City’s Zaytoun neighborhood months earlier.
Mahdi recalled walking amidst the ruins to reach his home and observing members of the Hamas-run police force aiding people returning to their neighborhoods. “Despite the overwhelming destruction and uncertain future for rebuilding, there was a sense of celebration,” he noted. “People began clearing debris; it’s a moment they’ve long awaited for 15 months.”
Um Saber, a 48-year-old widow and mother of six, made her way back to Beit Lahiya, though she opted to be identified solely by her title for safety. Upon returning, she and her family encountered bodies on the roads that had seemingly been exposed for weeks.
When they reached Beit Lahiya, they found their home and much of the community fragmented into ruins. Immediate excavation efforts for missing family members began, while others attempted to clear land for makeshift tents. Um Saber noted that the Kamal Adwan Hospital in the area was entirely obliterated, stating, “It’s not a hospital anymore. They’ve destroyed everything.” The hospital has reportedly faced multiple strikes from Israeli forces amidst ongoing military campaigns targeting areas they claim are controlled by Hamas militants.
In Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, returning residents discovered extensive destruction where many had sought refuge from earlier bombardments. Some individuals found human remains amidst the debris, which Mohamed Abu Taha, a Rafah local, described as an “unimaginable scene, akin to one from a horror film,” while examining his family residence.
The return of families is fraught with uncertainty concerning whether the ceasefire will maintain its hold, the governance of the territory, and the eventual rebuilding process. Not every family will regain access to their homes immediately; the ceasefire agreement stipulates that returnees may only start moving through the Netzarim corridor from the south to the north after a seven-day waiting period. From that point, civilians would be able to head north on foot without searches, although vehicles would be subject to inspections by a designated private company agreed upon by both Israel and mediators.
Displaced individuals, like Rami Nofal from Gaza City, expressed hope for a sustained ceasefire, which would permit families to return to their homes and children to resume their education. However, those who do return will likely face significant wait times to rebuild their residences. The United Nations has predicted that reconstruction could span more than 350 years if Gaza remains under blockade, estimating that approximately 69% of structures, including over 245,000 homes, have suffered damage or destruction.
While concerns about the future loom overhead, for many families, the prevailing sentiment is one of immediate relief. “We may still live in a tent, but at least the fear and the anguish will cease, and we can sleep in peace,” remarked Abu Jarad.
