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Home » Palestinians Begin Returning to Gaza’s North as Israel Says Ceasefire Now in Effect

Palestinians Begin Returning to Gaza’s North as Israel Says Ceasefire Now in Effect

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Palestinians begin returning to Gaza's north as Israel says ceasefire now in effect

Gaza City, October 10, 2025 — Palestinians have begun making their way back to northern Gaza after Israel announced that a ceasefire with Hamas has come into effect, bringing a fragile calm to an area devastated by months of intense conflict.

Scenes of cautious movement unfolded across Gaza’s main roads early Friday as families carrying belongings and children in their arms headed northward, many returning to neighborhoods they had fled during the heaviest bombardments. Local media reported that thousands were on the move, some by foot and others in overcrowded vehicles, as Israel’s military confirmed that a “mutual and comprehensive ceasefire” had taken hold overnight.

The truce, brokered with the help of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, aims to halt fighting that has left tens of thousands dead and much of Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins. Israeli officials said the ceasefire agreement includes terms for continued negotiations on the release of remaining hostages, as well as increased humanitarian access into the enclave.

For many Palestinians, the pause in fighting offers a glimmer of relief but also uncertainty. “We just want to see our homes again, even if they’re in rubble,” said Ahmed Abu Salem, a displaced resident from Beit Hanoun. “We have nowhere else to go.”

Aid groups warned that the humanitarian situation in northern Gaza remains dire. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that water, fuel, and medical supplies are still critically low, with many hospitals operating only partially. “The ceasefire must translate into immediate humanitarian access,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.

Israeli officials stated that their forces will maintain defensive positions but will not initiate new operations as long as Hamas adheres to the truce. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel’s war objectives remain unchanged, emphasizing the goal of ensuring that Gaza cannot again pose a threat to Israeli security.

In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed the ceasefire, calling it “a necessary step toward lasting peace and the prevention of further civilian suffering.” Egyptian diplomats said they would continue to monitor compliance and mediate talks on prisoner exchanges and reconstruction aid.

Despite the calm, residents on both sides remain wary. Sporadic gunfire was reported in parts of central Gaza Friday morning, though the Israel Defense Forces described the incidents as “isolated” and not a breach of the truce.

For now, Gaza’s weary population faces the monumental task of rebuilding lives shattered by war, with international attention turning once again to whether this ceasefire will hold longer than those that came before.

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