A long line of cars, loaded with pillows and blankets, moved slowly along the coastal road, stuck in traffic. People shared heartfelt embraces, some were visibly emotional. One individual even knelt to the ground in prayer.

Along the shoreline, a crowd of individuals walked towards the north. Many carried what little possessions they had left in plastic bags, while others had mattresses strapped to their backs. A few among them were using crutches to assist their journey.

Palestinians are making their way back to the devastated areas of the Gaza Strip that they once considered home.

Following an agreement that halted the relentless bombardment from Israel over the past 15 months, in exchange for Hamas releasing some of the Israeli hostages it holds, those who had evaded the violence in northern Gaza began their difficult journey home.

By late Monday, authorities reported that over 300,000 individuals had entered northern Gaza City, which was the most populous area in the strip prior to the conflict. Over the preceding weekend, tens of thousands had lined up to begin their return, having slept on the roads as Israel restricted access to the main routes, accusing Hamas of breaching the ceasefire terms.

This ceasefire marks the longest break in hostilities since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a sudden offensive on Israel’s border communities, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of over 200 people.

Of the 33 hostages that Hamas is expected to release as per the ceasefire deal, Israel announced on Monday that eight are already deceased.

For those Palestinians returning home, there is not much left to go back to in Gaza.

The United Nations’ Satellite Center reports that more than 170,000 buildings—69% of the structures in the region—have suffered damage, with 60,000 now reduced to rubble as of mid-December.

Prior to the conflict, nine out of ten residents in Gaza—known as one of the most densely inhabited areas globally—had fled their homes. Nearly 47,000 people have lost their lives, including at least 14,500 children. Approximately 17,000 children are returning to their homes without their parents, having either become separated or lost them due to the hostilities.

“I am waiting for my father, mother, and brother. We lost them on the way,” Jameel Abed, who walked from the center of the enclave to Gaza City, expressed to Reuters. “We found some lights here, and we are waiting for them.”

Trump suggests ‘just clean out’ Gaza

Their return is further complicated by President Donald Trump’s recent remark suggesting to “just clean out” Gaza, proposing that Egypt and Jordan should accept Palestinian refugees.

“You’re talking about a million and a half people, and we should just clear out that whole area,” he stated. “It’s essentially a demolition zone, nearly everything is destroyed and people are suffering there,” he continued.

Such statements could lead to what is regarded as “forced displacement” of Palestinians, which is classified as a war crime by the International Criminal Court. The court has already issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former top defense minister, Yoav Gallant, accusing them of multiple war crimes, including intentional starvation and attacks on civilians.

On Monday, newly confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan regarding “the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the release of hostages, and establishing a way to ensure security and stability in the region,” as reported by the State Department.

Hamas has announced its intention to release six more Israeli hostages later this week, with the next round of negotiations for the ceasefire scheduled to begin next week. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have been freed from Israeli custody in exchange, including 70 who arrived in Cairo to be welcomed by a Hamas delegation before being resettled in other nations.

Contributing: Reuters