Thousands Return Home as Ceasefire Takes Hold in Gaza

In the wake of a ceasefire agreement after a two-year conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinians have started returning to the northern Gaza Strip. The ceasefire, which is a result of an intensive US-led diplomatic push, began as Israeli forces started withdrawing from key areas.

Background and Context

The ceasefire agreement came into effect at 9:00 a.m. GMT, as reported by TASS. Sky News World reported that mediators hope this ceasefire will end the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas. This follows a human tide of Palestinians moving northward, who were previously displaced to the southern part of Gaza during the war. According to Corriere della Sera, hundreds of thousands were displaced and resided in tent camps in the south of the Strip.

Key Developments

TASS reports that about 250,000 people have returned to Gaza City since the ceasefire came into force, while the Gaza civil defence agency, as reported by the Middle East Eye, estimates that approximately 200,000 people have returned to the north of the territory. Despite this return, many Palestinians came home to devastated buildings and questions remain over who will govern Gaza as Israeli troops gradually pull back, as reported by The Hindu.

The Times of Israel reported that people chanted 'God is great' as they returned to check on their homes and began clearing rubble from destroyed buildings. However, even as the ceasefire was about to start, Israeli attack helicopters bombed the east of Gaza City. Al-Ahli Hospital reported to Al Jazeera English that seven bodies were recovered after the attack.

Reactions and Implications

Despite the ceasefire, war-weary Palestinians remain skeptical yet cautiously hopeful that the new agreement might ease their suffering. Their skepticism is compounded by the fact that, until the last minute, Gazawis were dying; La Repubblica reported seventeen deaths occurred as a result of Israeli raids ordered within the past 24 hours prior to the ceasefire coming into effect, despite the agreement having already been announced.

Meanwhile, the question of whether Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will accept the Trump ceasefire deal for Gaza or pander to his far-right coalition remains, according to Al Jazeera English. This decision comes amidst threats from Israel, as reported by La Repubblica, stating that if Hamas does not disarm, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will return.

Current Status

Currently, families are slowly walking back to Gaza City, eager yet anxious to return to what remains of their homes. The ceasefire agreement has allowed the IDF to withdraw, and a coastal road has been opened for the civilians' return. However, the devastation caused by the two-year conflict has left deep scars, with UNICEF reporting that 64,000 children were either killed or maimed during the war. As the dust settles, the residents of Gaza City are left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and homes.