Gazans set up tent camps for families returning to the north after the ceasefire

By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Mahmoud Isa and Dawood Abu Alqas

CAIRO/CAIRO (Reuters) – Palestinians in northern Gaza set up tent camps for displaced families on Thursday, two days before they are expected to return to their homes under a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

In an open field surrounded by blown-up buildings, a group of people set up white tents to welcome families who planned to return to the north on Saturday as the Palestinian militant group Hamas released a second group of hostages in retaliation. Dozens of Palestinians are imprisoned in Israel.

Many of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians expected to return to the northern Gaza Strip will return to the ruins after a 15-month Israeli military offensive devastated the area and killed more than 47,000 Gazans.

In October, Israeli forces returned to northern areas in a major anti-Hamas operation targeting the Jabalia refugee camp near Gaza City and the towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia, clearing the area of ​​residents and destroying most buildings.

“Is this the tent we dreamed of? This tent fits 10 people. This tent is for my children who come from the south. Is this space really enough?” asked Wael Jundia as he set up a tent for his children who were returning from their shelter near the southern Mawasi beach.

“On Saturday, people will come from the south and flood Gaza (city), where will they go? This camp will be filled with 100, 200 people. 1.5 million people will come from the south,” Jundia told Reuters.

In the year On October 7, 2023, Israel attacked Gaza after Hamas fighters crossed the border, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.

Hamas released a statement saying that the return of displaced families will begin after Saturday’s exchange is completed and Israeli troops withdraw from the coast north. At least four hostages are expected to be extradited to Israel on Saturday.

Walking back

Hamas residents are allowed to return on foot along the coastal road, which means they walk several miles to the official northern area from where they try to board vehicles, which are checked at checkpoints. Returnees should not carry weapons, Hamas said.

A senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, said the group is meeting with several Arab and international bodies to help with return and relief efforts, including providing tents. He also said that Hamas, which governs the area, will start work immediately to repair the houses that have not been completely demolished.

“We will invest all our resources to help our people. Municipalities have drawn up plans to welcome families returning to the north, including setting up tents,” he told Reuters.

In Jabalia, the largest of eight historic refugee camps in the Gaza Strip and the focus of Israel’s campaign over the past three months, many have returned to their ruined homes, lighting small fires to keep their children warm.

“They talk about reconciliation, ceasefire and aid delivery. It’s been three days since we returned, and we can’t find water to drink. We can’t find shelter to warm our children. We all depend on fire. We want to have wood for fire,” said Mohammed Bedar, a father of 10.

His wife Umm Nidal said she could not believe the total loss.

“You have nothing left, you can’t walk on the streets, houses are destroyed one after another. You will be lost, you will not know if this is your home or not,” she said. “The smell of corpses and martyrs are in the streets.”