Palestinians Return to Northern Gaza Amid Ceasefire and Destruction Concerns

On Monday, a large number of Palestinians moved into Gaza's most devastated area after Israel opened the north for the first time since the conflict with Hamas began. This marked a significant change from their exodus 15 months ago. As a fragile ceasefire entered its second week, Hamas informed Israel that eight hostages to be freed in the deal's first phase were dead.

Joyful Palestinians, some with babies or pushing wheelchairs, walked along a coastal road throughout the day and night. They carried bedrolls, water bottles, and other essentials. A few armed Hamas fighters, masked, showed victory signs. Israeli tanks monitored the crowd from a nearby hill. The United Nations reported over 200,000 people moving north in Gaza on Monday morning.

Return to Damaged Homes

Many Palestinians had been living in poor conditions in tent camps and former schools. They were eager to return home, even if their houses were damaged or destroyed. Yasmin Abu Amshah, a mother of three, walked 6 km to reach her damaged yet livable home in Gaza City. She reunited with her younger sister after more than a year. "It was a long trip, but a happy one," she said.

The return was seen as an act of resilience following Israel's military campaign. This campaign was launched after the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The return also opposed US President Donald Trump's suggestion to resettle many Palestinians in Egypt and Jordan, an idea both countries rejected.

Hostage Situation Update

The question of whether hostages were still alive in Gaza has been distressing for families urging Israel's government to secure their release. Before Monday's announcement, Israel believed at least 35 of the approximately 90 hostages taken on October 7 were dead. Government spokesman David Mencer stated that a list from Hamas indicated eight of the 33 hostages being freed were dead.

The ceasefire aims to end the deadliest war between Israel and Hamas. Militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, during the October 7 assault and abducted another 250. In response, Israel launched air and ground attacks that have killed over 47,000 Palestinians, more than half being women and children according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

Ceasefire Challenges

In the war's early days, Israel ordered evacuations from the north and sealed it off after ground troops entered. Around one million people fled south while hundreds of thousands stayed in the north amid heavy fighting and destruction. The north's opening was delayed as Hamas altered the order of hostage releases in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Local medical officials reported Israeli forces firing at crowds waiting to return north over the weekend, killing several Palestinians. Israel claimed it fired warning shots at groups it considered threatening. Mediators resolved this dispute overnight. Hamas called the return "a victory for our people."

Crossing Challenges

Palestinians crossed on foot without inspection through part of the Netzarim corridor south of Gaza City. A vehicle checkpoint later opened on Gaza's main highway with traffic backed up for about 3 km. Vehicles are inspected for weapons before entering the north under the ceasefire agreement.

An Egyptian official stated that Egyptian contractors and a US firm manage checkpoints inspecting vehicles via Salahuddin road. These contractors are part of an Egyptian-Qatari committee implementing the ceasefire and are cleared by Israel.

Mixed Reactions

Israel delayed opening crossings until civilian hostage Arbel Yehoud was released before four female soldiers freed on Saturday. Qatar announced Yehoud and two other hostages would be released by Friday; Israel confirmed this would occur Thursday with another three hostages released Saturday as planned.

In Sderot near Gaza, Israelis had mixed feelings watching events unfold. Some distrusted Palestinians while others empathised with them. Rachel Osher expressed hope for safety and normalcy for both sides: "Let them come back home safely and conduct a normal life... We want the same on both sides of the border."