After the Ceasefire: Palestinians Return to What Is Left
The much‑anticipated Gaza ceasefire has begun, signaling a key step toward easing a two‑year war that most directly harmed Palestinians living in Gaza. With the fighting subsiding, thousands of Palestinians are returning to areas that were once home to their families, often finding fields of rubble and the memory of what was lost. The ceasefire, confirmed by military authorities, also set in motion the release of the remaining hostages, a chain of events many hope will help shift the region toward stability.
A New Phase: Aid, Health, and Rebuilding
The international community has waited for a clear path to humanitarian relief. On Friday, a UN official confirmed that Israel had given the green light for scaled‑up aid into Gaza, with shipments to begin as early as Sunday. The plan includes roughly 170,000 metric tons of supplies stored nearby in Jordan and Egypt, prepared to reach those in desperate need as soon as crossings and safe corridors are secured. Fuel, medical supplies, and essential items form the backbone of relief efforts, which aim to address severe malnutrition and the broader humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict.
UN and Israeli authorities have held discussions about entry points and volumes to ensure aid can reach civilians returning to areas previously under heavy fire. The goal is to expand access to border crossings and safeguard the movement of aid workers alongside displaced residents who are returning to their communities.
Operational Realities and Humanitarian Aid
Despite the scale of relief planned, aid workers have acknowledged the persistent challenges. The UN humanitarian chief noted that only a fraction of the needed aid had previously reached Gaza, underscoring the difficulties of operating amid ongoing security concerns. Still, the early signs point to a more systematic delivery of assistance, with hopes that a steady flow of food, medicine, and fuel will gradually ease the strain on civilians reopening their homes and businesses.
On the Ground: People Returning to a Landscape of Destruction
As a steady stream of evacuees moved along coastal roads and into northern and southern areas, many found little more than ruins. In Khan Younis, residents described homes reduced to rubble, with only scattered belongings left behind. The emotional toll is evident: families cling to the possibility of recovery while mourning loved ones lost to the fighting.
For some, the ceasefire carries a measured sense of relief rather than clear joy. “There wasn’t much joy, but the ceasefire somewhat eased the pain of death and bloodshed,” said a displaced resident, underscoring the complex reality faced by those returning to still dangerous and uncertain conditions.
What Happens Next: Hostages, Security, and Political Stakes
Israel has signaled that approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for the remaining hostages, who are believed to number around 48. The timing remains fluid, with officials suggesting releases could begin as early as Sunday night or Monday. The operation is central to the immediate political dynamics, as families of hostages await news and closure, even as some in the broader public question what a longer‑term peace looks like.
Prime Minister Netanyahu framed the next phase as a process toward a demilitarized Gaza, signaling a path that will test both the Israeli security stance and Hamas’s compliance with any observed disarmament. Meanwhile, the international community watches for credible steps toward reconstruction in a territory that has suffered extensive destruction and displacement.
The broader geopolitical landscape remains complex. While some plan for a formal security framework and an international rebuilding program, others warn that lasting peace will depend on addressing fundamental political questions and ensuring accountability for the war’s human cost. As aid arrives and people begin to rebuild, the world will be watching the next chapters unfold in Gaza and the wider region.
