Tens of Thousands Return to Gaza Amid Ceasefire; Hostage Release Expected

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has held for a second consecutive day, allowing tens of thousands of Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza on Saturday. This tentative peace has sparked both relief and celebration, as many Israelis anticipate the release of remaining hostages on Monday.

Mahmoud al-Shandoghli, a resident of Gaza City, expressed despair as he surveyed the destruction, stating, “Gaza is completely destroyed. I have no idea where we should live or where to go.” The scene is marked by bulldozers clearing the remnants of two years of intense conflict. Nearby, a young boy climbed a ruined building to raise the Palestinian flag, symbolizing resilience amid devastation.

In Israel, a large crowd gathered in Tel Aviv, cheering the efforts of US President Donald Trump and his administration. During a rally, Steve Witkoff, a senior US envoy, addressed the crowd of hundreds of thousands, assuring hostages that they would soon return home. “To the hostages themselves, our brothers and sisters, you are coming home,” he stated. Jared Kushner, Trump’s senior advisor, acknowledged the suffering in Gaza, noting a bittersweet sentiment among the celebrants.

As part of the ceasefire agreement, approximately 200 US troops have arrived in Israel to monitor the situation and assist in the flow of humanitarian aid. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US military’s Central Command, emphasized that this operation would proceed without American troops entering Gaza. Meetings between US and Israeli military officials in the region aim to ensure compliance with the ceasefire terms.

The ceasefire agreement stipulates that Hamas must provide information regarding any hostages not released within the initial 72 hours. In return, Israel is expected to share information about the remains of deceased Palestinians held in Israel. This information exchange will occur through a mechanism supported by mediators and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), ensuring accountability and transparency.

Israel has agreed to release around 250 Palestinians currently serving prison sentences, alongside approximately 1,700 individuals captured from Gaza in recent years. Aid organizations have urged Israel to facilitate additional crossings to allow humanitarian assistance into the region. A United Nations official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Israel has approved expanded aid deliveries, set to begin on Sunday.

The World Food Programme has expressed readiness to restore 145 food distribution points across Gaza, following a significant reduction in aid since Israel sealed off the region in March. Previously, UN agencies operated 400 distribution points, which facilitated access to food for the local population. Although the logistics remain uncertain, the restoration of these points aims to alleviate food scarcity in the territory.

As the ceasefire continues, questions loom regarding the future governance of Gaza and whether Hamas will comply with the disarmament outlined in the agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has previously indicated that Israel may resume military operations should Hamas fail to disarm. The scale of destruction in Gaza will become more evident if the truce holds, with expectations that the death toll could rise as recovery efforts advance.

In the past two years, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 67,000 Palestinians and nearly 170,000 injuries, according to Gaza’s health ministry. While these figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, the ministry states that approximately half of the deceased were women and children. Independent experts and UN agencies have cited these statistics as some of the most reliable estimates of wartime casualties.

The ongoing conflict has not only impacted the region but has also sparked global protests and allegations of genocide, which Israel continues to deny. Looking ahead, the situation remains precarious, with international diplomatic efforts and humanitarian aid crucial in shaping the future of Gaza.