After two years of devastating conflict, tens of thousands of forcibly displaced Palestinians have begun returning to their devastated towns and cities in northern Gaza, as the Israel partially withdrew from the territory and allowed aid trucks to enter the enclave under the first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.
Israel and Palestinian group Hamas agreed to President Donald Trump‘s 20-point peace plan, two years after the war broke out on October 7, 2023, resulting in loss of human lives on both sides and widespread destruction of Gaza.
A massive column of people—some barefoot—could be seen in video footages walking north along the coastal al-Rashid Street, which overlooks the Mediterranean, toward Gaza City. The area, Gaza’s largest urban center, had come under intense Israeli bombardment just days earlier in one of the most extensive offensives of the war.
Al-Rashid Street has become a symbol of displacement over recent months, with thousands of Palestinians moving back and forth to escape repeated waves of Israeli attacks. It is now witnessing yet another wave of people on the move—this time returning north.
Meanwhile, at least 125 bodies were recovered from beneath rubble and transferred to hospitals across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to Dr. Khalil Al-Daqran, a spokesperson for Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Among the dead was one individual reportedly shot by Israeli forces in Khan Younis.
The ceasefire marks a significant step toward ending a devastating two-year Israeli war against Hamas. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s 2 million residents, many of them multiple times. Now, many return only to find the ruins of what were once their homes.
Ceasefire Brings Temporary Calm
The Israeli military confirmed the start of the ceasefire on Friday. Under the agreement, the remaining 48 hostages—around 20 of whom are believed to still be alive—are expected to be released by Monday, in line with the peace plan unveiled last week by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Palestinians reported that heavy shelling in parts of Gaza, which continued earlier on Friday, largely subsided after the military’s announcement.
Trump holds talks with leaders of Islamic countries on ending Gaza war
“I pray that God relieves our sorrow and distress, and that people return to their homes. Even if the houses are destroyed, we will return, God willing,” said Ahmad Abu Watfa, speaking to CNN while heading back to Sheikh Radwan in Gaza City.
“Everything is gone,” he said. Still, he described an overwhelming sense of joy, even though he expects little remains of his home. “There is no feeling more beautiful than this—the feeling of people returning from the south to the north,” he added.
Aid Convoys Begin Entering Gaza
The United Nations has received approval from Israel to begin scaled-up humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza starting Sunday, according to a U.N. official.
Israel’s military liaison for humanitarian affairs in Gaza, COGAT, announced that around 600 trucks per day will be permitted to enter the enclave as part of the ceasefire deal, the Associated Press reported.
Egypt said it would send 400 aid trucks into Gaza on Sunday, pending Israeli inspection. The aid shipments aim to address acute food shortages and famine-like conditions caused by prolonged Israeli bombardment and restrictions on humanitarian access.
Included in the aid are 170,000 metric tons of supplies pre-positioned in neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt, awaiting Israeli clearance for delivery into Gaza.
UN Calls for Expanded Access and Safety
U.N. officials and Israeli authorities held meetings in Jerusalem over the past 24 hours to discuss the volume of aid that can be delivered and the routes through which it will enter Gaza.
U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that fuel, medical supplies, and other essential goods have begun entering Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
UN Declares Famine in Gaza; Calls it Man-Made Catastrophe amid Widespread Starvation
However, U.N. agencies continue to urge Israel to open additional crossings and ensure safe passage for both aid workers and civilians returning to areas recently subjected to heavy airstrikes.
According to U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, only 20% of the required aid has been delivered to Gaza over the past several months. Humanitarian officials stress that sustained access and long-term support are urgently needed to address the deepening crisis.
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Iftikhar Ali is a veteran Pakistani journalist, former president of UN Correspondents Association, and a recipient of the Pride of Performance civil award
