Thousands of displaced Gazans carrying tents, clothes and personal belongings have begun heading to their homes after a long-awaited ceasefire took effect after more than 15 months of Israel’s military offensive.

AFP journalists saw Palestinians travelling by truck, donkey cart and on foot back to their homes through devastated swathes of Gaza, particularly in the northern parts of the Palestinian territory.

 Displaced Palestinians walk past the rubble as they attempt to return to their homes, following a delay in the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas over the hostage list, in the northern Gaza Strip on Jan 19, 2025. — Reuters/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Displaced Palestinians walk past the rubble as they attempt to return to their homes, following a delay in the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas over the hostage list, in the northern Gaza Strip on Jan 19, 2025. — Reuters/Dawoud Abu Alkas

Opinion

Editorial

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