Tens of thousands return to devastated northern Gaza as Israel lifts its closure under truce

For the past two days, we've been sleeping in the open, waiting for the Israeli army to open the Netzarim checkpoint so we can return to the northern Gaza Strip and see what remains of our demolished homes — if there's anything left at all,

said Rizek Ayoub, a passer-by who was on his way to Gaza City with 57 of his relatives

We contacted several friends in the north to ask about the condition of our house,

Ayoub said

The scene is terrible and strange. There are so many people, but they are happy. Despite all their suffering, there is happiness within, and I feel it, too,

she told DW

We want to heal our wounds and rebuild our lives, even if just a little bit,

said al-Farani

Two weeks later, we heard from others that the building they were staying in was completely bombed, and everyone inside had died. It was a four-story building, and many of those inside remain buried under the rubble,

al-Farani said

I am overjoyed at the thought of returning to the north of the Gaza Strip after being displaced for 16 months. The news of the [Israel-Hamas ceasefire] has given us hope,

he told DW

We don't know what the journey will be like, whether it will be easy or difficult. The road is long, about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) along the coast,

he said, worrying most about how his children would cope

We have been told that the Civil Defence has no equipment, but we will use our hands and whatever we have to find their bodies,

said the 27-year-old

I lost contact with my sister, her husband, and their four children on December 1, 2024. At that time, they were staying in a house in the Tal al-Zaatar area in Jabaliya Camp with another family,

al-Farani said by phone from Deir al-Balah in central Gaza as he prepared to leave

Let them come back home safely and conduct a normal life,

said one woman, Rachel Osher

This is our house, four stories. You can’t see them,

one returning man, gesturing to a pile of rubble, said in an AP video

It was a long trip, but a happy one. The most important thing is that we returned."

The mum-of-three said

We had thought we wouldn't return, like our ancestors,

he said

I haven’t seen my family for a year and a half, I want to go back to see them. I’ve been waiting for three days to go to my parents,

Mohammed Adas, 19, told Reuters

I have everything packed and ready to go with the first light of day, ... At least we are going back home, now I can say war is over and I hope it will stay calm.”

she said, adding

I am very happy we will meet our families,

she added

We waited here for three days in the cold and hunger to return,

she said

The transfer of militants or weapons via these routes to the northern Gaza Strip will be considered a breach of the agreement. Do not cooperate with any terrorist entity that may try to exploit you to transfer weapons or prohibited materials,

Israel’s military warned in a statement, according to Reuters

It’s like I was born again,

said Palestinian mother, Umm Mohammed Ali, part of the miles-long crowd that moved slowly along the coastal road

Donald Trumppresident

I’d like Egypt to take people,

Mr Trump said in a Saturday meeting with reporters