Gaza City (Somalia Today) – Thousands of Gazans traveled north on Saturday by car, cart, and on foot, taking advantage of a fragile ceasefire to check on homes they fled during two years of war. Many found their neighborhoods destroyed, tempering relief with the immense challenge of rebuilding.
The U.S.-brokered truce, which began on Friday, October 10, has allowed the first large-scale movement of displaced people from the southern part of the Gaza Strip. As the ceasefire held for a second day, the journey for many confirmed their worst fears about the scale of destruction.
“My house, which I built 40 years ago, was gone in a moment,” said Ahmed al-Jabari while standing in the rubble of a Gaza City Street. “I’m happy that there is no blood, no killing, but where will we go?”
Others expressed profound relief. “It is an indescribable feeling,” said Nabila Basal, who was walking with her daughter. “We are very, very happy that the war has stopped, and the suffering has ended.”
The war began after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The subsequent Israeli military campaign has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, health authorities in the enclave stated, and left large areas of Gaza uninhabitable.
Hostage deadline nears Â
Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israeli forces have withdrawn from major urban areas but still control about half of the territory. The agreement started a 72-hour countdown for Hamas to release its remaining 48 hostages, which expires at noon on Monday, October 13.
After the hostages are freed, Israel is expected to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. “We are very excited, waiting for our son and for all the 48 hostages,” said Hagai Angrest, the father of Matan, one of the captives. Twenty-six hostages have been declared dead, and the fate of two others remains unknown.
The diplomatic track is also moving forward. U.S. President Donald Trump will join over 20 international leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday for a summit to negotiate a permanent peace deal, an Egyptian presidential spokesperson said. Trump is also scheduled to address Israel’s parliament.
Speaking from the White House, Trump said he was confident the ceasefire would last. “They’re all tired of the fighting,” he stated.
Aid to increase soon
The pause in combat is set to trigger a surge in humanitarian assistance. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced plans to significantly increase supplies of therapeutic food, hygiene products, and tents starting Sunday.
A U.S. military task force will support stabilization efforts, said Admiral Brad Cooper of the U.S. Central Command, who visited Gaza with American and Israeli officials. He confirmed that no U.S. troops would be stationed inside the enclave.
Despite the progress, the deal’s long-term success is not guaranteed. Many Gazans return to ruined homes with no clear plan for reconstruction.
Key political questions, including the future governance of the Gaza Strip and Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm, remain unresolved. The outcome of Monday’s summit in Egypt will be a crucial indicator of whether this ceasefire can become a foundation for lasting peace.
