Thousands of displaced Gazans return to their residences as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire is implemented.

Following the implementation of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in Gaza at lunchtime local time on Friday, Palestinians experience a mixture of cautious optimism and skepticism, while medical organizations emphasize the necessity for immediate humanitarian assistance. As Israel commenced the withdrawal of forces from sections of Gaza City and southern Gaza Strip, thousands of displaced Palestinians initiated the arduous process of returning to the remnants of their homes. Muhanad, displaced from Tal al-Hawa in Gaza City and currently residing in Deir el-Balah, stated to RFI, “We are returning home to confront a heap of debris.” “The remnants of our house have been obliterated, compelling us to confront a harsh and arduous reality.” The United States has verified that Israel has finalized the initial phase of a withdrawal outlined in President Donald Trump’s peace plan; nonetheless, Israeli forces continue to occupy around 53 percent of Palestinian territory. Muhanad stated, “The stages of the ceasefire are merely theoretical.” “They have not yet been implemented.” Afnan Hijazzi, likewise in Deir el-Balah, exhibited greater optimism. “We possess considerable hope… nevertheless, even at this moment, it remains astonishing,” he remarked, acknowledging that some were apprehensive about Israel’s adherence to its commitments. “Our paramount concern is that they will violate the agreement… that after reclaiming their prisoners, they will merely bid us farewell and resume their previous conduct.” She expressed her wish that their homes would be reconstructed “so we can reside in tranquility again instead of in tents – we are exceedingly fatigued by the conflict”. Ambivalent Emotions The medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) cautioned that the humanitarian situation continues to be dire. MSF discovered that one in four children assessed this summer was afflicted by malnutrition, and in August, the United Nations validated a famine in northern Gaza. Claire San Filippo, MSF’s emergency coordinator, stated that the situation had somewhat improved with “a few fruits and vegetables” observed in the market on Friday “at less exorbitant prices,” but emphasized that it was far from sufficient. “It is imperative that this ceasefire be enduring, and that food aid be permitted to enter Gaza immediately, unconditionally, and in substantial quantities.” RFI’s journalist in Gaza, Rami el Meghari, recounted a conversation with a woman on Friday morning who was fatigued from continuous migration. “She was weeping.” She stated, “Inform the negotiators to preserve the remaining dignity we possess, the dignity that was stripped from us by this war.” El Meghari emphasized that 2 million Gazans “desire to restore their lives promptly after enduring two years of war that have disrupted their existence.” Eyad el Amawi, director of a Gaza-based NGO, characterized the ceasefire announcement as a “significant moment,” yet emphasized the ambivalence experienced by many Palestinians. “We experience a blend of concern, sorrow, and joy,” he informed RFI from Ramallah. Notwithstanding the ceasefire, he stated that they had “heard some bombs” and that Israeli forces “had not yet completely withdrawn from all areas of incursion”. OPTIMISM FOR CAPTIVES Following two years of conflict, the families of Israel’s surviving captives in Gaza were optimistic that the truce would persist and facilitate the release of 48 Israeli hostages—both living and deceased—still detained from the 251 captured during the 7 October assault by Hamas two years prior. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has committed to their release within 72 hours. A multinational team of members from the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey has been established to supervise the procedure. On Thursday evening in Hostages Square, Tel Aviv, former captive Amit Soussana, who endured sexual torture during his captivity by Hamas, spoke to the audience. We shall not cease our efforts until the final hostage is returned home. “We must persevere a little longer, and it will conclude,” she stated. “I sense we are on the cusp of a novel endeavor.” They will arrive shortly. The families of the deceased were expecting to grieve their loss. Dan Golan, a kin of Inbar Haiman, the final female hostage and one of the 28 deceased, displayed her photograph, imploring that the bodies of the fallen not be overlooked. “We have received no updates regarding Inbar since we confirmed her death in December 2023,” he stated. She was murdered on 7 October. Our primary concern is that the officials have indicated it will be challenging to locate all the bodies. INMATE EXCHANGE Israel has released the list of 250 Palestinian inmates it intends to free, in addition to 1,700 Gazans it has apprehended since October 7. A Palestinian man in the West Bank, who was incarcerated for 17 years for his involvement in the second intifada, expressed apprehension regarding the future of individuals scheduled for release from Israeli prisons, especially those convicted of serious offenses. “The mind struggles to grasp the experiences they endure, characterized by humiliation, insult, and violence within the prison, particularly following October 7,” he conveyed to RFI’s correspondent in Ramallah, requesting anonymity. Similar to several Palestinians, he aspires for the liberation of Marwan Barghouti, whose inclusion on the list is enveloped in ambiguity. However, he is skeptical that, once liberated, Barghouti and other Palestinian leaders will be permitted to engage actively in the Palestinian struggle. “The released detainees will exist in a continual state of fear, facing constant targeting, and will lack the ability to move freely,” he stated. The Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Commission reports that many detainees released in prior prisoner exchanges have been re-arrested.