Tens of thousands of displaced Gaza residents are finally heading back to what’s left of their homes after months of living in temporary camps. On Monday, Israel opened a corridor into northern Gaza, allowing families to return to the battered enclave. Videos captured the emotional scene as people walked back, carrying their belongings and children under the morning sun.

For days, these families had been waiting on beaches or streets, surrounded by mattresses, water tanks, and whatever they could salvage. The checkpoint opened as part of a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas. “We’ve been living in tents for 470 days. We miss our home,” shared Fadi Al Sinwar from Gaza City.

Nadia Qassem from Al Shati Refugee Camp echoed the sentiment, saying, “We’ve waited so long for this day.” But for many, the return is bittersweet. Their homes are now piles of rubble, a stark reminder of the destruction caused by months of conflict.

The return was delayed by 48 hours after Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire terms over the release of a hostage. Tensions flared further when former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested relocating Palestinians to neighboring countries like Jordan or Egypt. His comments sparked outrage, with Palestinian leaders and human rights groups calling the idea ethnic cleansing and a potential war crime.

Jordan and Egypt firmly rejected the proposal, emphasizing their commitment to keeping Palestinians on their land. “Jordan is for Jordanians, and Palestine is for Palestinians,” said Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. Egypt also reiterated its stance against forced displacement, warning it could destabilize the region.

For many Gazans, the return home is a mix of hope and heartbreak. “Even though my house is destroyed, I miss my land,” said Qassem. Meanwhile, fears of mass displacement linger, with Palestinian leaders vowing to resist any attempts to uproot their people.

As the fragile truce holds, the world watches closely, hoping for a lasting solution to a conflict that has left so many lives in ruins.