Palestinians stream north amid new Gaza ceasefire
Thousands of Palestinians sheltering in southern Gaza have rushed toward the north in the hours after a ceasefire began, hopeful that the lull in fighting will hold long enough to reconnect with loved ones and return home. The moment marks a shift in movement for a population long divided by conflict, with many anxious about the future and the fate of those far from safety.
“We are very happy, we are celebrating our loved ones, we’re going to see our loved ones and our neighbours,” said Wissam Al-Durra, 23, as he walked toward Tel Al-Hawa. With roads strewn with blocked or damaged vehicles, many are forced to travel on foot in search of shelter, basic necessities, and a glimpse of the lives placed on hold by the fighting.
Al-Durra explained that his aim was twofold: to find family members and to help identify and bury the dead, while trying to confirm that others remain alive. He added a note of cautious optimism, acknowledging the “siege” but stressing the resilience of Gazans who have stood together through years of hardship.
Some displaced people are returning to the north even as danger remains near the strip’s edges and offshore zones. Earlier, Israeli authorities had warned that while movement northward was permitted along specific routes, outer-edge areas and the sea remained dangerous. The reality of making a home again in the ruins is a heavy one for many families who have already lost so much.
Displacement trend and personal losses
Even as movement resumes, the scale of displacement remains staggering. Since mid-August, more than 400,000 people had already fled south in the wake of renewed hostilities as Israeli forces re-entered Gaza City. The humanitarian toll is compounded by individual stories of loss and economic strain.
Obaida Ayoud, a 73-year-old from Al-Shati Camp, illustrated the human cost: she lost her husband and one of her daughters and now has nowhere to go. “I am excited, but I am upset because our home was destroyed… I don’t know where my girl and I will stay,” she said, describing the practical barriers many face, including the lack of funds and basic necessities.
Ayoud’s words underscore a paradox: even as the ceasefire offers a window for families to search for each other, the immediate reality for many is precarious, with the need for shelter, food, and medical care only partly met by the current arrangements.
Ceasefire terms and hostage concern
The Israeli military announced that troops had withdrawn to agreed positions by midday Friday local time to prepare for the anticipated release of hostages in the coming days. Hamas officials framed the ceaseless movement of people and the inability to secure fully safe arrangements as a form of resistance, insisting that Gazans have an undeniable right to cross and return to their homes.
Officials in Tel Aviv have stated that the ceasefire includes the release of all remaining hostages, dead and alive, within three days. Yet, as families await news, fears persist about what happens once hostages are freed. The specter of renewed conflict looms if disarmament conditions or political disagreements re-emerge in the coming days.
Voices from both sides
Among the most prominent voices in Israel, a controversial figure against the prime minister has pressed for accountability and change. Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod is among the hostages believed alive, told the ABC that the ceasefire should not be used to sideline accountability for the October 7 attacks and the subsequent war. Cohen argued for a durable peace, including a two-state solution, to prevent further cycles of violence and to secure the region’s future.
For Gazans, the hope is simple and urgent: that the ceasefire holds, that families can reconnect, and that the path to rebuilding can begin. As the days unfold, the international community will be watching closely to see whether negotiations translate into real, lasting stability for both people and place.
