The eagerly awaited Gaza ceasefire has officially taken effect following a brief delay, allowing Palestinians to begin returning to the cities they had fled.
Thousands of displaced residents, carrying clothing, tents, and other belongings, are making their way back home. Reports suggest that Hamas fighters drove through Khan Younis in the south, welcomed by crowds chanting in support.
Initially, the ceasefire faced delays, with Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari accusing Hamas of failing to meet truce conditions, leading to continued strikes on Gaza. On Sunday morning, airstrikes were reported in both northern and southern Gaza, leaving at least eight dead and 25 injured, according to Palestinian authorities. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed these strikes, stating they targeted Hamas positions.
Earlier in the day, Israeli forces reportedly began withdrawing from Rafah toward the Philadelphia Corridor near the Egyptian border, according to pro-Hamas media. However, the ceasefire was temporarily postponed until Hamas provided a list of hostages to be released, with the group citing communication challenges due to reliance on physical messengers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israel remains determined to secure the release of all hostages. He confirmed that the ceasefire agreement, supported by the U.S., is temporary and that Israel reserves the right to resume military action if the truce does not achieve its objectives.
Meanwhile, in a broader regional development, nearly 200,000 Syrian refugees have returned home since the Assad regime’s recent overthrow, according to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. Many had fled to Lebanon but returned even before the regime’s fall to escape Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah.
