Thousands of Palestinians Return Home After Gaza Ceasefire Begins

A fragile calm has returned to Gaza as thousands of Palestinians began their journey back home after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on Friday. For many, it is a return filled with hope — but also deep sorrow after months of war and destruction.

Ceasefire Brings Temporary Relief

The truce started at 12:00 PM local time (09:00 GMT). Israel has begun the first phase of its withdrawal, confirmed by US Special Representative for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
A 72-hour window has also opened for the exchange and release of hostages under the agreement.

Families, carrying what little they have left, walked through damaged streets. Many homes are in ruins. Yet, they keep moving, desperate to rebuild their lives.

Scenes of Loss Across Gaza

Gaza’s Wafa news agency reported that at least 155 bodies were recovered on Friday. Around 135 of them were pulled from under collapsed buildings as rescue teams accessed destroyed neighbourhoods.

Hospitals across the Strip received the dead:

• 43 bodies at al-Shifa Hospital

• 60 bodies at al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital

• *4 at al-Awda Hospital

• *16 at al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital

• *32 at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis

Despite the ceasefire, medical sources said 19 Palestinians, including 16 from the Ghaboun family, were killed in airstrikes. It remains unclear if those strikes happened before or after the truce.

Return Filled With Pain and Hope

In Khan Younis, 32-year-old Ameer Abu Iyadeh said, “We are going back with wounds and sorrow.”
Mohammed Mortaja, 39, prayed that his house in Gaza City was still standing. “We just hope this war truly ends. We cannot flee again,” he said.
Areej Abu Saadaeh, 53, who lost both her children, shared mixed emotions. “I am happy about peace. But I grieve every breath. This truce means returning home, even with an empty heart.”

Political Stance and International Support

In a joint statement, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front declared that Gaza’s governance is an internal Palestinian issue, rejecting any external control.
Arab and international leaders welcomed the ceasefire and expressed readiness to assist in reconstruction and humanitarian aid.