Palestinians Reenter Gaza's Devastated North:

After Israel ended its 15-month isolation of northern Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinians have started to return to their homes there. This comes after a precarious ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that went into effect on January 19, 2025.

The truce calls for the weekly Saturday release of Palestinian detainees in exchange for Israeli hostages. In exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, the first phase concentrates on female civilians.
WSJ

Many evacuated residents face the task of finding missing family members and vast destruction as they travel the Netzarim Corridor to their homes.
WSJ.

As displaced individuals make their way back, they face the daunting reality of returning to heavily devastated areas. Many had been living in dire conditions in tent camps and makeshift shelters, and while they are eager to return home, they are aware that their residences may be damaged or destroyed. Reports indicate that around 650,000 people are attempting to travel north, with many describing the scene as “a sea of people” heading back to their homes after enduring significant hardships during their displacement.

In parallel, the United States has acted as a mediator to extend the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon until February 18, 2025. These measures mark important strides toward de-escalation in the region, despite persistent tensions and occasional skirmishes.

Concurrently, the United States has extended the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon until February 18, 2025.

Palestinians view their return as an act of resilience against the backdrop of ongoing conflict and previous fears that their displacement would become permanent. There are also concerns about proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting the resettlement of large numbers of Palestinians in neighboring countries, which have been met with widespread criticism from various stakeholders.

The humanitarian effects of the fighting have been catastrophic. According to reports, more than half of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed or severely damaged, depriving many citizens of access to basic services like food, clean water, and healthcare. The scenario is among the greatest humanitarian crises in recent history, according to the UN.