Return of the Palestinians: Hundreds of thousands flock back to Gaza!

Return of the Palestinians: Hundreds of thousands flock back to Gaza!

Norden Gazastreifens, Palästina - Today, on January 28, 2025, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian displaced people return to the northern Gaza Strip. This return takes place after the Netzarim corridor is opened by the Israeli military, which was closed for months. Video recordings show long snakes of people who walk over a coastal road with their belongings on foot. The returnees must have their vehicles checked by security forces at checkpoints to ensure that no weapons are transported, which is a condition for the ceasefire from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Hamas, around 300,000 people came on the first day of return, the United Nations speak of "hundreds of thousands".

The return process was originally planned for the beginning of the second week of an agreement between Israel and Hamas, which came into force on January 19. However, Israel had initially blocked the return because Hamas had violated the agreement before allowing the return on Monday. Hamas had exchanged four Israeli soldiers for 200 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday. This exchange is seen in the context of the broader negotiations as part of the agreement on the release of hostages and ceasefire. The returnees find their cities very destroyed, which is due to the intensive fights of the past few months.

hostage and humanitarian situation

The Geisel Arbel Yehud, which was kidnapped on October 7, 2023 during a raid by Hamas and other terrorists, plays a central role in the negotiations. Her brother also fell victim to the attack. Yehud should be released on Saturday, but Hamas initially decided to release the soldiers. According to Hamas, 25 of the 33 remaining hostages are still alive, while eight have been declared dead.

The humanitarian location in the Gaza Strip remains tense. Over 1.9 million people live in exceptionally bad conditions, many of them in tents in southern Gaza Strip. Despite the ceasefire, there are reports of Israeli attacks in which at least two people were killed and several were injured. These incidents raise questions about the stability of the ceasefire, which initially applies for 42 days and on which an exchange of 33 Israeli hostages against 1,904 Palestinian prisoners is planned.

political perspectives and international reactions

The return is called the "historical moment" and "victory for our people" by Hamas. In the Israeli government, however, there are internal conflicts about how to deal with the situation. Former Minister of Police Itamar Ben-Gvir criticizes the deal with Hamas and demands that the military actions resume the group. In the meantime, the prime minister's office emphasizes the hostage of hostages as a success.

At the international level, the United Nations strictly reject the proposals of former US President Donald Trump to the relocation of Palestinian residents to Arab countries. The UN spokesman emphasizes the rejection of any compulsory relocations or ethnic cleansing. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas also expresses concern about possible displacement in the Gaza Strip and warns that people's return to their homeland could not be permanent.