GAZA, (PIC)
With a mix of tears, joy, ululations, and chants of Takbeer, tens of thousands of Palestinians began their return to the northern Gaza Valley for the first time in 15 months of forced displacement and suffering that affected every aspect of their lives, breaking the will of the occupier and thwarting plans for forced displacement.
Displaced Palestinians returned to the northern Gaza Valley, carrying with them feelings of hope and determination to rebuild their city, which was destroyed by the Israeli occupation army, bearing their wounds and great losses. Each of them had lost their home or a family member, but their will remains unbroken, and their compass does not waver from steadfastness on the land and confronting the occupier.
The return came after three days of Israeli obstruction before reaching understandings that allowed for this historic moment to happen. Thousands of children, women, elders, and youth, most of whom gathered over the past few days, began returning to their homes and lands, which were devastated by the occupation.
The Palestinians return with determination and resolve to revive neighborhoods that witnessed stories of pain, steadfastness, and heroism. Amidst tears and joy, and between the ruins of memories, this return ignites a new flame of determination to thwart all plans for forced displacement, the latest of which was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, declaring their adherence to their historical rights to the land.
Details of the return
Our correspondent reports that hundreds of thousands gathered in the open air along Salah al-Din and al-Rasheed Streets north of Al-Nuseirat over three consecutive days, defying all the difficulties and fears carried by months of prolonged displacement. The scene of families walking through the destroyed roads, carrying what remains of their belongings, reflected a strong determination to return, despite the harsh reality imposed by the recent war.
In moving statements, citizen Mahmoud Al-Masri, a father of five children who were with him, expressed his feelings, telling the PIC reporter: “Today we return to our land, not just to regain our homes, but to prove that we are here to stay; no force can uproot us from this place.”
Meanwhile, citizen Um Ahmad, who lost her home completely, said with tears of joy filling her eyes, “The wait was long, but we have returned. This land is not just dirt; it is our history and the future of our children.”
Awaiting the first group of returnees, journalist Mohamed Qareqa, a reporter for Al Jazeera, broadcast scenes of the return, expressing his own heartfelt emotions as he waited for his family, including his child who was born on October 7 and grew up walking on his own without being able to see him, as his family was displaced to Deir al-Balah while he remained in Gaza City. His mother was martyred during the incursion of the occupation forces into Al-Shifa Medical Complex in March 2024.
Determination to live despite destruction
The return of the displaced to the northern Gaza Strip was not merely a restoration of place but a manifestation of the meaning of determination to live and cling to the land. In a touching scene, children were seen carrying their displacement bags on their tired shoulders, rushing towards the remains of their homes and ruins, preparing to reshape new stories of life on land that had accustomed to being a stage for memories.
In a conversation with young man Ahmad Nasser, who was waiting for his family members, he said, “We may need a long time to rebuild, but what matters is that we finally meet. Every stone here carries a story, and every corner reminds us that we are the rightful owners.”
He pointed to the remnants of the occupation that withdrew from the axis of Al-Rasheed Street. The occupation was here and established facilities, and some pessimists said these facilities were built to last, but the occupation left, and it happened before when war criminal Sharon dismantled the Netzarim settlement in 2005 to retreat from the entire Gaza Strip. “Now, Israel is trying again in 2025, but it will leave every part of our land, no matter how long it takes,” he added.
Message of resilience
The return of the Palestinians, despite all attempts at displacement and expulsion, confirms their adherence to their land and their right to live with dignity. The returning families have asserted that this step is not the end, but the beginning of a new journey of steadfastness and rebuilding. Elder Mahmoud Al-Khudari said, “We will not leave our land no matter what happens. Every time our homes are destroyed, we rebuild them anew. This is our destiny, and this is our message to the world.”
The spokesperson for Hamas, Abdul Latif Al-Qanou, confirmed that “the scenes of our people’s return from the south of the Gaza Strip to the north represent another failure for the occupation in achieving its goals of genocide and destruction, and a message of defiance against any new attempt to displace them.”
Al-Qanou said, “The steadfastness of our people on their land and their return from the south of the Gaza Strip to the north represents the end of the Zionist dream of displacing them and liquidating their just cause.”
He emphasized that “the historical epic written by Gaza and its great sacrifices requires the world to do justice to our people by achieving their legitimate rights and ending the occupation that is entrenched on our land.”
Upcoming challenges
Despite the joy of return, the displaced citizens face significant challenges related to rebuilding their homes and providing basic services such as water and electricity. Additionally, restoring the enclave’s infrastructure requires substantial local and international support. However, the determination and resolve appear stronger than all obstacles.
The return of the displaced to the northern Gaza Strip is not merely a symbolic step; rather, it is a testament to the strength of the Palestinian will that refuses to break. It is a story of resilience that repeats with every generation, affirming to the whole world that Palestinians remain steadfast, clinging to their rights, believing that the future holds hope for them despite all difficulties.