MORE than 200,000 Palestinians have returned home to the most heavily bombarded part of the Gaza Strip as Israel lifted its closure of the north.
It is the first time the region has been reopened since the early weeks of Israel’s 15-month bombardment of the territory.
Massive crowds of people carrying their belongings on foot stretched along a main road running next to the coast.
Associated Press reporters said people were seen crossing the Netzarim corridor shortly after 7am local time (5am GMT).
Palestinians who have been sheltering in squalid tent camps and schools-turned-shelters for over a year are eager to return to their homes – even knowing that they have likely been damaged or destroyed.
Many saw their return as an act of steadfastness after Israel’s military campaign, which was launched in response to Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, and as a repudiation of US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that large numbers of Palestinians be resettled in Egypt and Jordan.
Trump suggested that most of Gaza’s population be at least temporarily resettled elsewhere to “just clean out” the war-ravaged region.
Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinians rejected Trump's claim, amid fears that Israel might never allow refugees to return.
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said Palestinians would never accept such a proposal, “even if seemingly well-intentioned under the guise of reconstruction”.
He said the Palestinians can rebuild Gaza “even better than before” if Israel lifts its blockade.
