Palestinians begin returning to northern Gaza as ceasefire takes hold
The withdrawal covers districts such as Tel al-Hawa and Al-Shati camp, which were among the hardest hit during Israel’s recent offensive.
Thousands of Palestinians have started returning to northern Gaza as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes effect, bringing cautious hope to the war-torn enclave.
Israeli troops on Friday began withdrawing from key positions within Gaza, allowing civilians who had fled the fighting to move back toward their homes.
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Video footage from Gaza showed long lines of men, women, and children walking along the coastal road as the truce began at 12:00 pm local time. Gaza’s civil defence agency confirmed that Israeli forces were pulling back from several areas, including Gaza City and Khan Yunis, after weeks of intense operations.
The withdrawal covers districts such as Tel al-Hawa and Al-Shati camp, which were among the hardest hit during Israel’s recent offensive.
Despite the pullback, the Israeli military will continue to control approximately 53 per cent of Gaza, maintaining positions along the so-called 'Yellow Line' as part of a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump.
Under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas has 72 hours to release all remaining Israeli hostages. In return, Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in its facilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the deal on his English-language X account, saying, “The government has just now approved the framework for the release of all of the hostages - the living and the deceased.”
Once the arrangements are fully operational, trucks carrying food, medicine, and other essential aid will flow into Gaza to assist the nearly two million residents, many of whom have been displaced and are living in temporary shelters.
The agreement marks the first step toward halting a conflict that has devastated cities and left thousands homeless in one of Israel’s largest offensives in recent years.
The ceasefire comes less than 12 hours after Israel formally accepted the truce plan. While troops pull back, the agreement is designed to suspend hostilities and create a window for humanitarian assistance.
For now, displaced families are cautiously making their way back north, hoping to rebuild lives disrupted by months of fighting.
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