Israel Residents from the north of the Gaza Strip long to return home

Following an Israeli decision, many displaced persons in the Gaza Strip still have to wait before they can return to their homes in the north of the territory. 45-year-old Shukri Said, who fled from the northern city of Gaza to the center of the coastal region, longs for his home. He now wants to hold out near the Netzarim corridor, which divides the Gaza Strip into two halves south of the city of Gaza, the Palestinian told the German Press Agency. "If necessary, I will sleep in the cold at the checkpoint until the army allows us to return to our city," said the father of five.

Shaima Ahmed, who also comes from Gaza, says she can hardly wait to return home. "The day when we return to our homes is near," the mother of seven, who was displaced to the south of the Gaza Strip, is certain. "Even if our houses are in ruins, we will live in them and never leave them again."

Large parts of the coastal strip have been devastated by the war. Many displaced people may hardly recognize their homes in view of the heavy destruction.

As part of the agreement, it was originally planned that people would be allowed to walk from the south to the north via a designated route without controls one week after the start of the ceasefire or take a car - although the latter would be subject to controls.

However, Israel now only wants to allow this once an Israeli civilian has been released, who, according to the Israeli government, should originally have been released this Saturday. She is being held in the Gaza Strip. An army spokesman accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreements. According to the agreement, the release of civilians should have priority over soldiers. Four Israeli female soldiers were released from Hamas control in the morning.

SDA