Thousands return to northern Gaza as Israel lifts closure

GAZA,— Tens of thousands of residents from Gaza began traveling along main roads to the north on Monday, after Israel lifted roadblocks, allowing displaced individuals to return to their homes.

The move came following an agreement by the militant Islamist group Hamas to release Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud, along with two other captives.

Television footage showed large groups of people moving, and witnesses reported that the first displaced residents reached Gaza City in the early morning. This was after the first crossing point in central Gaza opened at 7:00 a.m. local time, with another crossing scheduled to open at 9:00 a.m.

The news of the crossing points opening sparked celebrations in shelters and tent camps across Gaza, where thousands of displaced families had gathered.

These individuals had been waiting for a chance to return to their homes in the north, which had been destroyed or damaged during months of Israeli aerial and ground attacks.

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas had initially stipulated that residents of northern Gaza would be allowed to return by the weekend. However, Israel had accused Hamas of breaching the terms by failing to release Yehud and delaying the opening of the crossings, causing them to remain closed for several days.

Late on Sunday, Qatari mediators announced that Hamas had agreed to release Yehud and the two other hostages before Friday. In return, Israel would permit displaced Gaza residents to head back to the north, starting Monday morning.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the deal, announcing the hostages’ release and stating that displaced families would be allowed to return to northern Gaza.

A statement from Netanyahu’s office emphasized that the prime minister reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to not tolerating any breaches of the agreement.

“Israel will continue its efforts to secure the return of all hostages, both those who are alive and those who have passed,” the statement read.

Hamas confirmed early Monday that it had provided the required details on the Israeli hostages who would be freed during the first phase of the ceasefire, as mediated by Qatar and Egypt.

The arrangement is expected to allow approximately 650,000 people, mostly from central and southern Gaza, to return to the north. Much of the area has been left in ruins due to Israel’s 15-month-long offensive.

Hamas had captured around 250 hostages during its Islamic State-style attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in around 1,200 Israeli deaths, according to Israeli sources. The violence marked a sharp escalation in the long-standing Israeli-Arab conflict. As of now, the fighting has paused under a fragile ceasefire agreement.

Tens of thousands of Gaza residents had been stranded at roadblocks for two days, awaiting permission to return home. Many expressed frustration when Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement and refused to open the crossing points.

The Israeli military later issued a statement informing Gaza residents that they could return to the northern region by foot through the coastal road starting at 0500 GMT, and by vehicle through the eastern Salahudeen road beginning at 0700 GMT.

The military also warned them not to approach Israeli forces’ positions, cautioning that any attempt to transport militants or weapons would be considered a breach of the agreement.

“Do not assist any militant terrorist group attempting to use you to transport weapons or illegal materials,” the statement read.

On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Jordan and Egypt to provide refuge for those displaced from Gaza amid the ongoing conflict.

“Almost everything is destroyed, and people are dying there,” Trump said, addressing the situation in Gaza. He emphasized the need for collaboration with Arab nations to find a solution. “I believe it would be better to work with Arab nations to establish new housing in another location, giving people the chance to finally live in peace,” he added.

Political analyst Henase Karim told iKurd that the return of Gazans to their homes is worthless because the area is destroyed and uninhabitable, and they will only suffer more.

She pointed out that when Israeli hostages were handed over to the Red Cross, many Hamas militants appeared, using the moment for propaganda.

She also stated that Israel has promised to eliminate Hamas after the deadly attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and the fight against Hamas will continue. She believes that the Gazans could be forced to move back south again.

(With files from Reuters)