‘Kiss the ground’: Displaced Palestinians return home after Gaza cease-fire | News about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Tens of thousands of forcibly displaced Palestinians are heading for their homes, walking through devastated parts of Gaza, after the long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into force after more than 15 months of war.
Israel on Sunday said the cease-fire with Hamas began in Gaza at 11:15 a.m. (09:15 GMT), nearly three hours later than originally planned, after last minute delay by order of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Almost all of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million was forcibly displaced during the 15 months of genocide, in many cases multiple times.
In the northern area of Jabalija, hundreds of Palestinians flowed down along the sandy path, returning to an apocalyptic landscape dotted with piles of rubble and destroyed buildings.
In the southern capital Khan Younis, people celebrated their return home.
“I am very, very happy,” said Wafa al-Habeel. “I want to go back and kiss the ground and the soil of Gaza. I long for Gaza [City] and longing for our loved ones.”
During the delay in the ceasefire that took effect, Gaza’s civil defense agency said at least 19 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli strikes.
