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Palestinians shed tears of joy as displaced civilians return to northern Gaza

January 27, 2025 at 3:20 pm

Palestinians, displaced by Israel forces, return their houses among the rubbles of collapsed buildings via Salah al-Din Road and Al-Rashid Street on the coastal strip following the ceasefire agreement in Gaza City, Gaza on January 27, 2025. [Hassan Jedi – Anadolu Agency]

Thousands of displaced Palestinians began to return to the northern Gaza Strip on Monday amid joy after being forced out of their homes by Israel’s genocidal war, Anadolu Agency reports.

Tens of thousands moved on foot through the coastal Al-Rashid Street under a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Resistance group, Hamas.

Other displaced Palestinians returned to the north by vehicles through the Netzarim Corridor, which separates the Territory’s southern part from the north.

The return of Palestinians came hours after Qatar mediated an agreement between Hamas and Israel under which the Palestinian group agreed to release female Israeli captive, Arbel Yehud, and two others by Friday.

“Today, we feel joy despite the pain and suffering after we lost hope of returning,” Bassam Saleh told Anadolu.

Saleh returned to northern Gaza by bicycle via Al-Rashid Street to his home in the Jabalia Refugee Camp.

READ: Trump’s call to move Gazans to Jordan, Egypt is part of ‘colonial agenda’, Palestinian group says

Carrying some belongings on his bicycle, Saleh transported them to the camp, which had seen extensive destruction in the Israeli onslaught.

Saleh, like other Palestinian IDPs, crossed rugged and damaged roads for several kilometres to reach northern Gaza.

Returning to a place riddled with destruction, Saleh said: “We adapt to the situation and make do with what we have.”

Bittersweet joy

Fatima Abu Hasira, who spent months displaced in the southern city of Khan Yunis, says her return to the north was challenging.

“This is a day of joy, but there is a deep sorrow in our hearts,” said the Palestinian woman, who looked exhausted and burdened with grief.

“There is pain and sadness within us. I lost my children and grandchildren (during the war), along with loved ones, neighbours and our homes.”

Despite the devastation, Abu Hasira prefers living amid the rubble of her destroyed home to remaining far from her land and residence near Gaza City’s port.

During her displacement, she endured severe shortages of food, water and essential living supplies.

Emotional reunion

In a deeply moving scene, Anadolu’s camera captured a displaced young man running to embrace his mother and child upon seeing them waiting for him at the nearest point to Gaza City, along the coast.

With tears of mixed joy and sorrow, the young man hugged his mother and child after months of separation due to the Israeli genocidal war.

“May Allah have mercy on Hamed, Mom. He wanted to be the first to welcome me,” he said through his tears.

It was not clear whether Hamed was his brother or child.

READ: Israel soldiers delete social media accounts ahead of travel for fear of arrest

Defiance

Mustafa Ibrahim, a political writer and analyst, described the return as a defiant stand against Israeli efforts to displace Palestinians.

“From early morning in Deir Al-Balah, crowds of people walked northward on foot in a majestic and historic scene, challenging the (Israeli) Occupation,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Ibrahim viewed the return of displaced Gazans as a “direct confrontation with plans for displacement and expulsion.”

“Men, women, the elderly, and children were dressed in new clothes as if it were Eid festivities, with joy and smiles lighting up their faces,” he said, vividly describing the scene.

“This resilience is a hallmark of our people and their extraordinary perseverance.”

Despite the profound grief and loss, many Palestinians returned to their homes and the ruins of their infrastructure, ready to rebuild their lives and face daily struggles for water and resources.

During the war, Israel destroyed nearly 88 per cent of Gaza’s buildings and infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, schools and essential economic facilities.

The first six-week phase of the ceasefire agreement took effect on 19 January, suspending Israel’s genocidal war that has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children and injured more than 111,000 since 7 October, 2023.

Seven Israeli captives, including four soldiers, have so far been released in return for 290 Palestinian prisoners since the deal came into force.

The Israeli onslaught has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in one of the worst global humanitarian disasters ever.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

READ: Israel destroys only water desalination plant in northern Gaza