Ceasefire agreement: Thousands of displaced Palestinians begin to return to Gaza, people express happiness.

There has been a war between Israel and Hamas for more than a year, due to which the city of Gaza was completely destroyed. Meanwhile, on Sunday night, Israel announced that the dispute over a ceasefire and hostage agreement with Hamas in Gaza has been resolved. After which thousands of Palestinian citizens were seen on the main roads going north in Gaza. These people were returning to their homes after living in temporary shelters for months, the happiness of which was clearly visible on their faces. However, people were also worried about what would be left of their homes amidst the ruins destroyed by Israeli attacks.
The return of these people was agreed after Hamas agreed to hand over three Israeli hostages. Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement after a 15-month-long war, Israeli forces have started withdrawing from the main corridor in the enclave. After which people are now returning to their homes.
'It feels like I've been born again'
A large number of Palestinian citizens were seen walking along the road passing by the sea coast in Gaza, holding their children's hands and carrying luggage on their shoulders. During this, a woman said that she felt as if she was born again. She expressed happiness about returning home and said that we have been victorious again.
'I never thought I would return home'
According to witnesses, residents were the first to cross into Gaza City after the first crossing point in central Gaza opened at 7:00 am (0500 GMT). About three hours later, another crossing was opened, allowing vehicles to enter. A man named Osama said he thought he would never be able to return. "Whether the ceasefire succeeds or not, we will never leave Gaza City and the north again, even if Israel sends a tank for each of us," he said.
After being repeatedly displaced during 15 months of war, families in shelters and tent camps were filled with joy when they heard the news of the crossing being opened. One woman said she couldn't sleep after hearing the news. "At least we are going back home," she said. The woman said she can now say the war is over and hopefully it will remain peaceful.
About 650,000 Palestinians displaced from Gaza
About 650,000 Palestinians were displaced from northern Gaza after the war that began due to Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. 1,200 people were killed in this Hamas attack and 251 people were taken hostage by Hamas fighters. At the same time, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli attack on Gaza so far. Due to Israeli plows, people had left their homes and took shelter in camps.
Much of Gaza is in ruins
Much of Gaza is now in ruins after Israeli attacks. The Hamas-run Gaza government's media office says those returning to the north need at least 135,000 tents and shelters as people try to rebuild their lives after their homes have been destroyed.
Israel gives green light for return to northern Gaza
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, residents of northern Gaza were to return over the weekend, but Israel said Hamas had broken the agreement by failing to release civilian female hostage Arbel Yehud and kept its forces in the Netzarim corridor, south of Gaza city. Qatari mediators resolved the dispute late Sunday when Hamas agreed to release Yehud, female soldier Agam Berger and another hostage. After this, Israel gave the green signal for the return to northern Gaza from Monday morning.
Hamas has also provided a list of all hostages to be released during the first six-week phase of the ceasefire agreement, detailing their status. On Monday, a Hamas official told Reuters the group had submitted a list to mediators showing that 25 of the 33 hostages scheduled for release in the first phase were alive. These 25 also include seven hostages released since the ceasefire began on January 19.