Palestinians walk through the rubble to make historic return home
Palestinians walk through the rubble to make historic return home
Share:
Tens of thousands of Gazans began the long and heartbreaking reverse-exodus back to their wrecked homes in the Strip’s most heavily-hit community this morning. Dramatic images have emerged of crowds of Palestinians walking back to north Gaza, heavily-laden with their belongings, many of them dreading what they will find. It was the first time Israeli troops have lifted their closure of the north since the early weeks of a bloody 15-month war which has likely killed more than 47,000 neighbours and loved ones.
As phase one of the fragile ceasefire that has brought temporary respite still holds tension in the background is mounting over future releases of hostages and prisoners. But for now traumatised Palestinians returning to their homes, many of them reduced to rubble, were guarded and yet jubilant as they face a new future and hopefully peace.
One Palestinian man told reporters: “We are so happy. For now it is a huge relief. We have slept on the road for days waiting for this to happen. I am so happy to go back to my home.”. Mother-of-three Yasmin Abu Amshah walked almost four miles to reach her home in Gaza City and she is one of the lucky ones despite the trauma of the war. She found her home damaged but it is still habitable and she saw her younger sister for the first time in over a year. She told reporters simply: "It was a long trip, but a happy one. The most important thing is that we returned.".
Palestinians who have been sheltering in squalid tent camps and schools-turned-shelters for over a year are eager to return to their homes. Many saw their return as an act of steadfastness after Israel 's military campaign, which was launched in response to the Hamas militant group's Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. The return was also in defiance of U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion that large numbers of Palestinians be resettled in Egypt and Jordan.
