Thousands Of Palestinians Are Finally Returning Home To North Gaza After Being Forcibly Displaced For 15 Months
Israel had initially blocked Palestinians from returning to their homes as planned, saying that Hamas violated the ceasefire deal by not prioritizing releasing civilian hostages.
Thousands of displaced Palestinians are now going back to their homes in north Gaza after 15 months of being forcibly displaced by Israel.
They were initially supposed to be allowed to return to their homes in north Gaza starting Saturday, Jan. 25, as part of the first phase of the ceasefire, which began on Jan. 19.
However, on Saturday, Israel blocked people from returning to their homes as planned, saying that Hamas violated the ceasefire deal by not prioritizing releasing civilian hostages, specifically a woman named Arbel Yehud, who it said was expected to be freed on Saturday.
On Monday, Jan. 27, Israel finally allowed the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to the north after Hamas agreed to release Yehud along with two other hostages, according to Reuters.
Celebrations erupted in north Gaza following the news, with people who have been waiting since Saturday near the Netzarim corridor, which separates north Gaza from the rest of the Strip, finally reuniting with their loved ones who have been trapped north Gaza for months.
Emotional videos showed thousands marching the Netzarim corridor to return to their homes
North Gaza has experienced the worst of Israel’s genocide, having been besieged since Oct. 6, 2024, and separated from the rest of the Strip.
Homes, buildings and hospitals have been reduced to rubble and thousands were forced to flee their homes.
Israel’s forced evacuation order has led to nearly 1.9 million, approximately 90% of Gaza's population, being displaced.
Moreover, the UN estimated that more than 69% of all of Gaza’s structures have been destroyed as of Dec. 2024.
Temporary shelters are being set up near the ruins of homes as people attempt to rebuild their lives.
The UN estimates that rebuilding Gaza will take decades and cost tens of billions of dollars.
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