After a long, exhausting trek under the relentless sun, Gaza’s returnees finally caught sight of the words that reignited their hope: "Gaza Welcomes You Again." Those words, etched on a sign that symbolised more than just a place, breathed new life into their weary hearts. For more than a year, they had carried with them the pain of displacement, but now, Gaza—regardless of its scars—had become their beacon of resilience. Every step toward the land that birthed them felt like a reaffirmation of their unbreakable bond to it.

Among those returnees was journalist Hidaya Ismat Hassanein, who recalled the emotional toll of leaving her shelter behind. After more than a year of displacement, she dismantled the tent that had served as her refuge. The desire to burn it symbolised a deep wish to rid herself of the pain it represented. Yet, as she walked back to Gaza, every ache in her body was overshadowed by a profound love for her homeland. The journey was arduous, but with every step, the land she had longed for seemed to pull her closer, reassuring her that despite the destruction, Gaza was still her home.

Other returnees, like Reem Sheldan, shared similar experiences of returning to their origins. Despite the devastation, each person felt an inexplicable sense of hope as they walked back. For Reem, meeting her father after the long ordeal of displacement was a moment frozen in time, filled with love and reassurance. The emotional weight of the journey was immense, but the ultimate reward was the return to a place that, despite its ruins, remained a symbol of identity and belonging.

Noor Abu Hasira’s return was marked by grief and loss as she walked through devastated streets. Yet, amidst the ruin, she found solace in her reunion with family. The destruction, though overwhelming, did not erase the deep connection to Gaza—an indestructible bond that no amount of devastation could sever. For her, the return was a reaffirmation of survival, a testament to the strength of Gaza’s people.

Gaza, though scarred, remains a land of resilience. Its people, returning after a year of displacement, embody a spirit that refuses to break. Through tears, they speak of both the loss and the strength that defines them. Despite the devastation, Gaza’s soul remains unyielding, and its people continue to carry the torch of hope for a future that, no matter how uncertain, will always be anchored in their homeland.