Tens of thousands of Palestinians head on foot to what’s left of their homes after 15 months of war and forced displacement by Israel. Three months after it ended, genocide leaves hundreds of thousands of Palestinians returning to northern Gaza as part of a truce deal between Hamas and Israel.
Early on Monday, the Palestinians – huddled together, holding their belongings in sacks and plastic bags – began heading northwards on foot through the so-called Netzarim Corridor.
The Israeli military earlier on Monday said they would allow the Palestinians to cross al-Rashid Street by foot starting at 7 am (05:00 GMT) and Salah al-Din Street by vehicle from 9 am (07:00 GMT).
“I will start rebuilding my home – brick by brick, wall by wall,” a forcibly displaced Palestinian told Al Jazeera. “We will start by removing the debris and rebuilding it again.”
Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza, said there was a “sense of excitement and happiness picking up” after Israel announced the timings for people to return home in the north.
We saw a change in everyone’s mood. We have never seen people that happy in the past 15 months,” he said. People describe this moment as historic. They say it’s as important as the announcement of a ceasefire. For them, this is a victorious day.”
