October 11, 2025 | 10:02 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Thousands of Palestinian refugees began returning to the northern and southern Gaza Strip on Friday, following the official ceasefire agreement with Hamas, following Israel's government approval.
Various local sources reported that people began returning to their homes on Friday morning along the coastal roads of Rashid and Salah al-Din. These two main artillery roads stretch from north to south in the Gaza Strip.
The refugees walked at least seven kilometers, carrying their belongings, after being forced to leave their homes due to repeated Israeli military attacks.
As reported by WAFA and cited by Antara, Rashid Road, which stretches from the northern tip to the south of Gaza, witnessed a large number of massacres during the war. This was especially when Palestinians tried to flee to the south after being expelled by Israeli occupiers. Many were killed along this route.
This event is a repetition of the emotional scenes from the previous ceasefire in January.
The destruction they found this time will be even greater, after Israel launched fresh attacks in Gaza City in the past few weeks. The military bombed high-rise buildings and blew up houses in what they called an effort to destroy the remaining military infrastructure of Hamas.
Palestinian residents have expressed relief that the Israeli genocide may come to an end, tempered by concerns about the future and the lingering pain from the shocking deaths and destruction.
"There wasn’t much joy, but the ceasefire somewhat eased the pain of death and bloodshed, and the pain of our loved ones and brothers who suffered in this war," said Jamal Mesbah, who fled from the north and plans to return, as reported by Arab News.
In the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, hundreds of Palestinian residents who returned to their homes found shattered buildings, debris, and devastation after the Israeli forces retreated.
"There was nothing left. Just a few clothes, pieces of wood and pots," said Fatma Radwan, a refugee from Khan Younis. Residents are still trying to evacuate bodies from under the rubble, she added.
The return of the refugees occurred hours after the Israeli government gave final approval for the proposed ceasefire agreement to end the two-year war between Israel and Gaza.
The Gaza agreement marks the beginning of the First Phase of a broader peace plan, which includes a complete cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, access for humanitarian aid, as well as the exchange of prisoners and hostages.
On Thursday night, President Trump announced the Gaza agreement, describing it as the start of a larger effort to achieve peace in the Middle East, rebuild Gaza, and promote a political solution in the region.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed nearly 67,200 Palestinian residents in the enclave, most of them women and children, and made it uninhabitable.
Editor's Choice: US Deploys 200 Troops to Support Gaza Ceasefire Monitoring
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Trump Pledges No Forced Eviction in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Deal
17 jam lalu
President Donald Trump declares that the Hamas-Israel negotiations have concluded, and the next step is the reconstruction of Gaza.
US Deploys 200 Troops to Support Gaza Ceasefire Monitoring
17 jam lalu
The US will deploy around 200 troops to Israel to support and monitor the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement reached between Israel.
Who Are the Israeli Hostages Set to Be Released by Hamas in Gaza Peace Deal?
18 jam lalu
Hamas has 72 hours since the Israeli government approved a deal to return 20 hostages and live captives still held in Gaza
Israeli Cabinet Approves Ceasefire; Hamas Declares Gaza War Over
23 jam lalu
The Israeli Cabinet has approved the "first phase" of a ceasefire agreement, which will include a prisoner exchange and Israeli withdrawal from part of Gaza.
Indonesia Delivers Rp200bn in Food Aid for Gaza, Partners with WFP
23 jam lalu
The Ministry of Finance stated that the government will distribute food aid worth $12 million or around Rp 200 billion to Gaza residents.
Israel Quietly Drops Marwan Barghouti from List of Released Prisoners
1 hari lalu
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and the mediators had agreed to release Marwan Barghouti, but Israel unilaterally removed his name from the list.
Indonesia Refuses to Issue Visas to Israeli Athletes
1 hari lalu
Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra asserts Indonesia's stance on Israel.
Israeli Attacks on Gaza Continue Despite Ceasefire Deal Announcement
1 hari lalu
Gaza Civil Defense official Mohammed Al-Mughayyir said Israeli strikes resumed across the territory just hours after the peace agreement was declared.
Trump Says Hamas to Release Hostages on October 13, 2025
1 hari lalu
Donald Trump announced that Hamas is expected to release all Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip on Monday, October 13, 2025.
Omar Yaghi, Scientist of Palestinian Descent, Wins 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
1 hari lalu
Omar Yaghi, a scientist of Palestinian descent, won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing molecular structures to combat climate change.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5109984/original/014787400_1737901129-medium-shot-girl-helping-brother_23-2148748684.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5265873/original/051498900_1750934466-WhatsApp_Image_2025-06-20_at_19.09.02_1_.jpeg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5237589/original/092987300_1748596794-Ibu_hamil.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5238090/original/074714200_1748671861-family-spending-time-together-mother-with-four-kids-standing-holding-hands-against-white-suv-car.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5261980/original/057446900_1750732334-front-view-sad-girl-with-hair-comb.jpg)
