Over the past week, hundreds of Palestinians have packed their belongings and dismantled their tents in the southern and central governorates of Gaza, gathering at the closest point to the Netzarim checkpoint.
These scenes, commencing on Monday 27 January, come after the implementation of the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, in which, after over a year of genocide, Palestinians secured their passage in exchange for the handover of Israeli captive Arbel Yehud and several others.
Shared widely on social media, scenes have also shown cars and trucks packed with people, their vehicles piled high with mattresses, blankets, and basic belongings.
For many travelling along the Rashad Coastal Road and Salah al-Din Road, both by car and on foot, the experience has been overwhelming — a mix of joy, loss, and shock — as they witnessed the near-total destruction of the impoverished, blockaded enclave.
‘A biblical, unprecedented rain of destruction’
In October 2024, one year after Israel launched its assault on Gaza, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) deemed could plausibly amount to genocide, UN Independent Investigator on the Right to Adequate Housing, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, described the Gaza Strip as having been subjected to “a biblical, unprecedented rain of destruction.”
Balakrishnan stated that by January 2024, between 60% and 70% of homes in Gaza had been destroyed, while the northern region had suffered a destruction rate of 82%. He emphasised that the situation had worsened significantly since then.
He also warned that reconstruction would only be possible if Israel’s occupation ended and adequate funding was provided. Even then, he stated, the contamination of groundwater and soil had reached a “catastrophic level,” to the extent that it could be impossible for people to return to their normal lives “within this generation.”
Weighing in on Israel’s destruction, Gaza’s Government Media Office stated that Israel had destroyed over 90 percent of the buildings and infrastructure in the two northern governorates during the war. They added that “Gaza City and Gaza North need 135,000 tents and caravans (mobile housing units) immediately.”
Long-awaited reunions
Reporting this Monday, a Palestinian security official in Gaza said that over 200,000 displaced Palestinians had reached Gaza City and the northern regions “within the first two hours” after they were permitted to travel north.
The Gazan police service also stated that hundreds of officers were stationed along both highways to organise and secure their passage.
Amid the assistance being provided, in the barely recognisable streets of the northern governorates, now abuzz with gathering crowds, many Palestinians are feverishly awaiting the return of their relatives.
Hanan Zaaneen anxiously waits for her children to return from the south, her gaze darting left and right. “I can’t wait for my children to return. May our Lord bring them back to me safe and sound,” she says to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab‘s Arabic-language sister edition.
Hanan, who lives in Beit Hanoun in northeast Gaza, adds: “Thanks be to God the road has opened. I’ll finally see my children after more than a year. God willing, we’ll rebuild our homes. Until then, we’ll set up a tent and live in it because the Occupation bombed our house.”
Muhammad Halaweh also shares his story. Earlier this week, he was waiting since 5:30 am with his family for the return of his relatives.
“I am waiting for my daughter, my brother, and many other loved ones. It is a huge victory that they are finally returning after so much suffering over the past 15 months,” he explains.
When his family arrives, emotions overwhelm both him and his wife, and they break down, crying uncontrollably.
“My feelings can’t be described,” he says, tears streaming down his face. “Thank God, I’ve been reunited with my family after the Occupation separated us during the war. We’re a steadfast people, who defend our land. Despite all the destruction in the Gaza Strip, we will rebuild it because we are a people who deserve life.”
Subhi Arafat’s sense of hope began to return just hours after he was overcome by frustration last Saturday when the Israeli army prevented him from heading to Gaza City.
As he makes his way north on foot, a feeling of hope and joy takes over him as he watches displaced people starting their journey back home along the coastal road.
“These feelings are inexpressible,” he says.
He adds, “This is the moment I’ve been waiting for throughout months of forced displacement. I’m returning on foot with two of my brothers and several friends.
“Meanwhile, my big brother Mohammed will come back by car with the women, children, and some basic supplies via the Salah al-Din Road. We’ll meet in the Sheikh Radwan district, northern Gaza City. Then, we’ll learn the fate of our home and neighbourhood.”
Fayez Miqdad also speaks of the journey home. Exhausted but determined, he walks slowly.
“Despite the long and difficult road, my feelings can’t be described,” he says. “Finally, we’re going back to northern Gaza — despite all those conspiring against the Palestinian people.”
He quickly recounts: “We were displaced at the start of the war, and by God’s mercy, we’re returning to our homes. We will stay here, in the Gaza Strip, and we won’t leave for any other country. I’m heading straight to my home in Shati Camp in west Gaza City. Our family will be together once more.”
Imad Farina was reunited with his family on the Rashid coastal road and tells Al-Araby Al-Jadeed: “I never imagined I would return to my birthplace in Sheikh Radwan, northern Gaza City, amid this genocide that spared nothing and no one. My family and I spent our last night on al-Nuwairi Hill at the entrance to Nuseirat Camp.”
“It was a difficult night,” he continues. “Especially after the Occupation initially refused to let us return to the northern part of the Strip. But once the road opened, we came back to life. This war has been devastating, and we’ve endured unimaginable suffering, particularly the separation from our family — it was extremely difficult.”
Younes Abed, upon his arrival, starts hugging his family members one by one.
With tears streaming down his cheeks, he says, “Thank God. I’m happy. I’m finally with my family again, and they are safe after a long period of displacement.”
Shadi Abu Sala’a, another young man returning home, says he feels as though he’s “been born again.”
After a lengthy period of displacement in Rafah, he is now heading back to his home and birthplace in Jabalia Camp.
“As soon as I reach the site of my house, I will set up a tent over the rubble,” he says. “God willing, life in Gaza will return to how it was before the aggression. Gaza is the most beautiful place on earth to us.”
Nothing can dampen the spirits of the Palestinians
Despite Israel’s brutal campaign in northern Gaza, which seemed aimed at permanently depopulating the area, one thing remains clear: nothing can dampen the spirits of the Palestinians.
Currently, the Gaza ceasefire deal is being implemented in three stages. The terms of stage one, which lasts for 42 days, include a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas, and the exchange of captives.
Additionally, the deal stipulates the return of the displaced to their homes in the Strip and the facilitation of travel abroad for the sick and wounded to receive treatment.
This is an edited translation from our Arabic edition. To read the original article click here.
Translated by Rose Chacko
This article is taken from our Arabic sister publication, Al-Araby Al Jadeed and mirrors the source’s original editorial guidelines and reporting policies. Any requests for correction or comment will be forwarded to the original authors and editors
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