Gaza City: More than half a million displaced Palestinians have returned to Gaza City since a ceasefire came into effect on Friday, according to Gaza's civil defence agency. Many residents were shocked by the extensive destruction, while others were relieved to find their homes still standing amidst the devastation.
According to France24.com, Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for the civil defence agency under Hamas authority, confirmed that over 500,000 people have returned. While some were stunned by the rubble, others were thankful to see their homes intact. One resident, who returned to the Al-Rimal neighborhood, found her house reduced to rubble and expressed her devastation over losing her home and memories.
Under a ceasefire deal proposed by US President Donald Trump, Hamas is expected to release 47 hostages from its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, while Israel will release 250 prisoners and 1,700 Gazans detained since the war began. The list of released prisoners excludes top militant leaders sought by Hamas.
The withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas marked the beginning of a 72-hour deadline for Hamas to release the hostages, which ends on Monday morning. Palestinian groups, including Hamas, have called the ceasefire a setback to Israel's alleged objectives of displacing Gazans.
President Trump expressed confidence that the ceasefire would hold, citing both sides' fatigue from the conflict, and announced plans to visit Israel and Egypt. However, unresolved issues remain, such as post-war governance and disarmament of Hamas.
The United Nations has declared famine in Gaza City, and aid agencies hope the ceasefire will facilitate the delivery of essential supplies. The UN's Office for Humanitarian Affairs has received approval from Israel to deliver 170,000 tonnes of aid during the first 60 days of the truce.
Residents like Saher Abu Al-Atta returned to find widespread destruction, with medical facilities severely damaged. Jacob Granger from Doctors Without Borders emphasized the urgent need for medical supplies, food, water, fuel, and shelter as winter approaches.
Despite the destruction, some residents, like Sami Musa, found their homes still standing, albeit damaged. The war has claimed at least 67,682 lives in Gaza, according to the local health ministry, with more than half of the casualties being women and children. The conflict was triggered by Hamas's attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people.