Returning to her residence in an upscale neighborhood in northern Gaza, 44-year-old Sabrine Zanoun expressed a mix of emotions. "We are happy to see our family again," she shared with the BBC, "but it is also so sad it makes you cry - the destroyed houses, the rubble." Sabrine, along with hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians, made the journey back to their homes or the remnants of what once stood in northern Gaza on Monday following a week of ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Having been displaced multiple times during the war, Sabrine, like others, experienced the emotional toll of witnessing the devastation left behind. She recounted the journey on foot along al-Rashid Street where a large number of displaced Gazans traveled back to the north of the strip, with over 200,000 people crossing in just two hours.
As Palestinians returned to their neighborhoods, narratives of resilience and heartbreak unfolded. Individuals like Israa Shaheen shared the emotional rollercoaster of the journey, from initial happiness to frustration and ultimately finding solace in the symbols of Gaza upon arrival.
For many, the return home revealed harsh realities. Mohammed Imad Al-Din discovered his home and salon ravaged by conflict, while Lubna Nassar came to terms with the loss of their family home. Amidst the rubble, a sense of hope lingered as survivors voiced a collective desire to rebuild and restore what was lost.
While some hesitated to return due to the extent of destruction, those like Sabrine expressed gratitude for the small mercies amidst the devastation. In the affluent neighborhood of Tel al-Hawa, she reflected on the value of having a home that remained intact, contrasting the widespread ruin with a sense of fortunate resilience in the face of adversity.