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WADI GAZA, Gaza Strip — On Monday, a significant shift occurred as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians began returning to the most severely damaged areas of Gaza, as Israel lifted restrictions on the north for the first time since the early days of the conflict with Hamas. This marked a dramatic change from the mass exodus that took place 15 months earlier.
As the fragile ceasefire extended into its second week, Hamas communicated to Israel that eight of the hostages expected to be released during the initial phase of the agreement are confirmed dead.
Excited crowds of Palestinians, many carrying infants or assisting the elderly in wheelchairs, proceeded along a coastal route carrying belongings such as bedrolls and bottles of water. Masked Hamas militants celebrated openly with a victory gesture, while Israeli tanks monitored the crowd from a nearby hillside. The United Nations reported observing over 200,000 people heading north on that Monday morning.
Many displaced Palestinians who had been living in inadequate tent camps and former educational facilities were eager to return to what remained of their homes, despite recognizing that most were likely damaged or destroyed. There was widespread fear that their displacement could become permanent. Yasmin Abu Amshah, a mother of three, shared her journey of walking nearly four miles to reach her home in Gaza City, expressing joy at being reunited with her younger sister for the first time in over a year. “It was a long trip, but a happy one,” she reflected.
The return trip was viewed by many as a demonstration of resilience following Israel’s military actions, which began in response to the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Residents also related this homecoming to rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier proposal that many Palestinians should be resettled in Egypt or Jordan, both of which have opposed such ideas.
Details regarding the hostages remained a heartbreaking topic for their families, who had been pressing Israel’s government to secure their release, concerned about the uncertainty of their loved ones’ fates. Prior to the recent disclosures, Israeli officials estimated that approximately 35 out of roughly 90 hostages taken during the October 7 assault were believed dead. Government spokesperson David Mencer announced that a new list from Hamas indicated that eight were confirmed deceased. Families of the hostages have been notified, and this information aligned with prior intelligence assessments.
The ceasefire aims to conclude what has been described as an extremely deadly and destructive conflict between Israel and Hamas. The assault by militants on October 7 resulted in around 1,200 casualties, mostly among civilians, and the abduction of approximately 250 people. In retaliation, Israeli military actions have reportedly caused over 47,000 Palestinian deaths, with more than half being women and children, as per Gaza’s Health Ministry. The exact number of militants among the dead remains unclear. Israel, however, claims to have eliminated over 17,000 militants without disclosing the evidence supporting these figures.
Around 90% of the 2.3 million people in Gaza have experienced displacement, now facing increasing health risks as they begin to return.
Ismail Abu Mattar, a father of four, shared his experience watching the return with his family near the northern crossing point, describing scenes filled with singing, praying, and tears of joy. “It’s the joy of return,” stated Abu Mattar, reflecting on his family history and the displacement experienced during the 1948 conflict that led to the establishment of Israel. “We had thought we wouldn’t return, like our ancestors.”
During the initial days of the war, Israel ordered evacuations from the north and closed it off after deploying ground troops. Many fled south while hundreds of thousands remained in the north amid fierce fighting and widespread devastation. The planned opening of the northern area was delayed by two days after Israel indicated that Hamas had altered the sequence for releasing hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Local medical sources reported that Israeli forces opened fire on returning crowds, resulting in several fatalities over the weekend; the military described these actions as precautionary measures against perceived threats.
Following overnight negotiations, Hamas characterized the return as a “victory for our people.” However, later reports from a hospital in central Gaza indicated that they received the body of a child who was killed in Nuseirat refugee camp during these returns, along with multiple injuries sustained by others in separate incidents. The Israeli military conveyed that warning shots had been fired to deter suspicious vehicles from entering unauthorized zones.
Despite the open crossings, some tensions remain, with vehicles moving through the Netzarim corridor without initial inspection. Later in the day, a vehicle checkpoint was established along Gaza’s primary north-south highway, leading to significant backups. The handling of vehicles traveling north is supposed to involve inspections for weapons under the ceasefire terms. An Egyptian official indicated that contractors from Egypt and the U.S. are managing vehicle inspections en route to northern Gaza.
The start of the crossing was initially planned for the weekend but faced delays due to ongoing concerns over civilian hostages, with Israeli authorities insisting on the timely release of certain individuals before the planned returns. Key mediator Qatar announced that hostages, including a female soldier, would be released by the end of the week. Mixed sentiments were evident among Israelis observing the situation, with some feeling wariness towards the returning Palestinians, while others expressed the hope for a peaceful mutual life. “Let them come back home safely and conduct a normal life,” shared one observer. “We also want it. We want the same on both sides of the border.”
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