On Friday, October 10, 2025, a historic moment unfolded across the Gaza Strip as thousands of displaced Palestinians began their arduous journey back to their homes, marking the start of a landmark ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The agreement, which officially came into effect at noon, brought an end to two years of devastating conflict that left much of the Palestinian territory in ruins. This ceasefire, the first phase of a US-backed peace plan, has sparked cautious optimism among Gazans, many of whom are returning to their homes for the first time since the war intensified. The deal also includes an initial withdrawal of Israeli troops, opening key roads and allowing displaced families to assess the state of their homes and communities.
The sight of thousands of Palestinians streaming northward in a massive column stretching at least a kilometer was both heartening and somber. The procession began from central areas of Gaza, perceived as safer during the conflict, toward Gaza City, the territory’s largest urban center and one of the areas hardest hit by Israel’s military offensive. The Mediterranean seafront road, Al-Rashid Street, recently reopened by Israeli forces, became a lifeline for returnees. As families walked, some carrying meager belongings in bags or carts, the air was filled with a mix of celebration and trepidation. AFP journalists on the ground reported scenes of people cheering, whistling, and chanting “God is great” in a collective expression of relief and hope, tempered by the uncertainty of what they would find upon reaching their destinations.
Among the returnees was Ibrahim al-Helou, a 40-year-old father from Gaza City who had been displaced to the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza. His journey home was fraught with challenges. “When I first tried to head back, the situation was dangerous, with gunfire, so I waited for a while,” he recounted to AFP. “Now, the road has been opened, and we have all continued on our way back to Gaza to check on our homes and assess the situation.” His words captured the delicate balance of excitement and caution that defined the day for many. For al-Helou and others, the opportunity to return home was a long-awaited moment, but the fear of what lay ahead—destroyed homes, lost livelihoods, and the lingering presence of Israeli troops—cast a shadow over their journey.
Another returnee, Ahmad Azzam, 35, also from Gaza City, shared a similar story of urgency and hesitation. Displaced for nearly two years, Azzam and his family seized the moment when news broke of the Israeli troop redeployment. “When I heard news of the Israeli withdrawal and that the road would be opened in the coming hours, my family and I immediately headed to Al-Rashid Street to return to Gaza,” he told AFP. However, like many others, he initially held back, wary of the risks. From a hill overlooking the coastal road, he observed the situation cautiously. “Only a few people are risking moving forward,” he noted around noon, the exact time the Israeli military’s pullback officially began. His decision to wait reflected the broader atmosphere of uncertainty, as families weighed the promise of returning home against the dangers that might still linger.
The Israeli military issued a statement on Friday confirming that its troops had “begun positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages.” The statement, released in both Hebrew and Arabic, also announced the reopening of Gaza’s main north-south artery, Salah Al-Din road, a critical route for the movement of people and goods. However, the military cautioned Gazans against approaching troops still stationed within the Palestinian territory, underscoring the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the ongoing presence of Israeli forces in parts of Gaza.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered with the assistance of international mediators, is a multi-phase plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. According to Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian, who spoke on Thursday, the military’s initial withdrawal involves redeploying to the so-called Yellow Line, a demarcation that leaves Israeli forces in control of approximately 53 percent of the Gaza Strip. This partial withdrawal is a significant step but falls short of a full retreat, raising questions about the long-term prospects for peace and the ability of Palestinians to rebuild their lives in areas still under military oversight.
In the southern city of Khan Yunis, the scenes of return were equally poignant. Dozens of residents navigated paths carved through piles of rubble, the remnants of two years of relentless airstrikes and ground operations. Destroyed buildings, their facades torn away, stood as stark reminders of the conflict’s toll. Yet, amidst the devastation, there was a palpable sense of resilience. Ameer Abu Iyadeh, a 32-year-old returnee, expressed a bittersweet joy as he walked with his two daughters, carrying a pink school backpack and a jerrycan of water. “We’re happy. Even if we return to ruins with no life, at least it’s our land,” he told AFP. His words encapsulated the complex emotions of many Gazans: gratitude for the opportunity to return, sorrow for the losses endured, and hope for a future on their ancestral land. “We’re going back to our areas, full of wounds and sorrow, but we thank God for this situation,” he added, his smile a testament to the enduring spirit of the Palestinian people.
The ceasefire agreement is not only about halting hostilities but also includes provisions for the exchange of hostages and prisoners, a critical component of the peace plan. Israel previously announced that all parties had signed the first phase of the agreement in Egypt, with the release of remaining Israeli captives—both those still alive and the remains of those deceased—expected to be a key step toward “bringing an end to this war.” The details of the hostage and prisoner exchange remain sensitive, with both sides navigating complex negotiations to ensure compliance and avoid derailment of the fragile truce.
The return of displaced Palestinians to their homes marks a significant moment in the region’s history, but it is only the beginning of a long and uncertain road to recovery. The war has left Gaza’s infrastructure in tatters, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble and essential services like electricity, water, and healthcare severely disrupted. The United Nations and other humanitarian organizations have warned that the scale of destruction will require years of reconstruction and billions of dollars in aid. For now, the focus remains on the immediate needs of returnees: shelter, food, and safety.
As thousands of Palestinians continue their trek home, the international community is closely watching the implementation of the ceasefire. The success of this initial phase will depend on the commitment of both Israel and Hamas to honor the agreement, as well as the ability of mediators to navigate inevitable challenges. For the people of Gaza, the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope after years of unimaginable hardship. Yet, as they walk through the ruins of their cities and villages, the question remains: can this fragile truce pave the way for lasting peace, or is it merely a pause in a cycle of conflict that has defined the region for decades?
For individuals like Ibrahim al-Helou, Ahmad Azzam, and Ameer Abu Iyadeh, the journey home is not just a physical return but a reclaiming of identity and belonging. Their stories, and those of countless others, underscore the resilience of a people determined to rebuild, even in the face of overwhelming loss. As the sun sets over Gaza, the Mediterranean seafront road remains a symbol of both the pain of displacement and the hope of return, a path that thousands more will walk in the days and weeks ahead.
