Palestinians in Gaza March North Again, Returning to Homes Turned to Rubble

"It was the moment everyone in southern Gaza had been waiting for: the chance to return to their homes, or what remained of them, in Gaza City and northern Gaza. On October 10, as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, throngs of people began the march back north, moving up the coastal al-Rashid road in a sight reminiscent of Gazans' historic return march during the January-March ceasefire earlier this year."

"'No tents or mobile homes are available to house the returnees from the south,' the statement said. Ismail Thawabta, head of the Government Media Office in Gaza, confirmed that over 300,000 residential units have been destroyed in Gaza, while 200,000 units were partially destroyed. "This led to the displacement of almost two million people from their homes, forcing them to live in tents and in harsh conditions," the statement said."

"The return movement is not limited to the southern areas of the Strip. Residents from Gaza City and Khan Younis have also begun to return to neighborhoods from which they were displaced during the war, including eastern Khan Younis, Ma'an, and al-Batna Samin. Those areas had previously been inaccessible due to Israel's military presence there. As the Israeli army has withdrawn from parts of the territory, displaced families are attempting to reclaim what remains of their homes."

Mass movements of Palestinians traveled north along al-Rashid road to Gaza City and northern Gaza as the first phase of a ceasefire took effect. Gaza Civil Defense reported over 300,000 people made the trek within two days. Government officials confirmed more than 300,000 residential units destroyed and 200,000 partially destroyed, displacing nearly two million people who remain in tents without available mobile housing. Returns included residents of Gaza City and Khan Younis reclaiming neighborhoods previously inaccessible due to Israeli military presence after partial withdrawals. Returnees described a mix of relief at returning and devastation at the loss of homes.

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