Gaza strip: Tens of thousands of Palestinians have begun returning to areas vacated by Israeli forces following the implementation of a ceasefire.

According to Anadolu Agency, the mass movement of displaced civilians commenced as many residents traveled from southern Gaza back to their homes in northern regions, primarily on foot. The challenging journey was undertaken amid fuel shortages, with some utilizing the few available vehicles, animal-drawn carts, bicycles, and motorcycles to make the hours-long trek.

Simultaneously, thousands of individuals made their way back to homes in the central Gaza Strip and eastern parts of Khan Younis in the south. These returns were facilitated by the withdrawal of Israeli forces, allowing civilians to traverse the coastal Al-Rashid Street in the west and Salah al-Din Road in the east. However, upon returning, hundreds of displaced civilians faced the harsh reality of setting up tents on the rubble of their former homes.

The Israeli military's gradual withdrawal, completed on Friday, was part of a plan initiated by US President Donald Trump. This involved the retreat of troops to the "yellow line," with forces pulling back from Gaza City in the north, excluding areas such as Shejaiya, Al-Tuffah, and Zeitoun neighborhoods, as well as the central and eastern parts of Khan Younis in the south. Notably, Palestinians were still barred from entering Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia in northern Gaza.

The Gaza Government Media Office reported that more than 5,000 missions, covering humanitarian, health, rescue, and relief operations, were conducted across the Gaza governorates within the past 24 hours. This activity coincided with the first phase of a 20-point plan announced by Trump, aimed at achieving a ceasefire and facilitating a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. The plan's initial phase took effect at noon local time on Friday.

The subsequent phase of the plan envisions establishing a new governing mechanism in Gaza that excludes Hamas, forming a security force comprising Palestinians and troops from Arab and Islamic countries, and disarming Hamas. Since October 2023, the region has endured significant loss, with Israeli attacks resulting in the deaths of nearly 67,200 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, rendering the enclave uninhabitable.