Tens of thousands of Palestinians have returned to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip for the first time in over a year, leading to a mix of emotions among the returning residents.
On Tuesday, reunions with family members who remained in northern Gaza during the conflict were observed throughout Gaza City. However, many faced the harsh reality of their neighborhoods being devastated by Israeli airstrikes, which left them unrecognizable and in ruins.
Rajab al-Sindawi, a 49-year-old secondhand clothing salesman, expressed the conflicting feelings of joy and despair, stating, “We’re overcome with joy — we’re finally in our neighborhood near friends and family after a year living on the sidewalk and the sand. But our home is gone and it feels like our future is gone, too.”
The mass return began after Israeli troops withdrew from Gaza’s coastal road on Monday, following a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas that allowed displaced individuals to move north.
Since the onset of Israel’s military offensive against Hamas, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from northern Gaza had fled south, living in tents, makeshift shelters, schools, and with friends and family for nearly 16 months.
Currently, Mr. al-Sindawi and his family are residing at his parents’ home, which survived the war but lacks essential services such as water and electricity.
During a five-hour walk from Nuseirat to Gaza City, Mr. al-Sindawi observed the extensive destruction, prompting him to question the timeline for rebuilding Gaza. “The whole city is wrecked,” he remarked. “It will be years before we get our house back.”
Northern Gaza was severely impacted during the conflict, as it was the primary focus of Israeli military operations following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 250 hostages. The Israeli strikes caused significant destruction to residential buildings, hospitals, and schools, which Israel alleged were used by Hamas militants for military purposes and as hiding spots among civilians.