Tens of thousands began moving back to northern Gaza on Friday as Israel commenced a phased withdrawal from areas within the Strip, signalling the first stage of the recently declared ceasefire. Residents returned cautiously along main roads, confronting the ruins left behind, with entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble by two years of genocidal war. Families faced the stark reality of destroyed homes and shattered communities, a testament to the enduring devastation inflicted across the Strip.

The withdrawal, carefully staged, allows movement primarily along cleared main routes. Despite the truce, the scale of destruction in Gaza City and surrounding towns is overwhelming: flattened homes, demolished infrastructure, and essential services in shambles. Civilians expressed both relief at being able to return and deep anxiety over the fragile conditions that persist, including lack of electricity, clean water, and medical care.

The ceasefire also includes provisions for a prisoner exchange, though disparities remain stark. Thousands of Palestinians remain in Israeli detention under harsh conditions, while dozens of Israeli prisoners are still held in Gaza. For many, the truce offers a temporary reprieve rather than lasting security, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian toll and the deep scars left by two years of genocidal war. Returning to northern Gaza is as much a step toward home as a confrontation with survival amid the ruins.