Watan-Palestinians in the Gaza Strip celebrated their return to their homes and neighborhoods, from which they were forcibly displaced due to Israel’s 15-month-long war of extermination, following the implementation of the ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar and Egypt.
On Monday, social media platforms were flooded with hundreds of posts and videos documenting the messages of return to Gaza City and northern Gaza, as well as the emotions of Palestinians returning to their neighborhoods despite Israeli plans aimed at their displacement. Platforms such as Facebook, the most widely used among Palestinians, and X (formerly Twitter) saw widespread sharing of these messages of return, despite the massive destruction caused by the occupation.
From early morning, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians began their journey back to Gaza and northern Gaza after a two-day delay caused by Israeli intransigence over the case of Israeli prisoner Arbel Yehuda. Posts varied between praising the resilience shown by Palestinians throughout the war, highlighting the unprecedented scenes of rapid return, and commending the steadfastness of Palestinian resistance throughout the 15 months of aggression.
Palestinian activist Mohammed Abu Shmala wrote on his Facebook page, commenting on two photos showing thousands crowding the road back to Gaza City: “Everything returns to its origin… They return to the Lady of the Land, Gaza and its north.”
Activist Sarah Farouk wrote on X: “The scenes of displaced people returning are both majestic and joyful (…) This people, despite grief and loss, offer the most profound examples of dignity and faith.” She added in her post, accompanied by a photo of people returning to Gaza and northern Gaza: “They return to lost homes, but within them is the hope to rebuild them again, a hope that is reborn every minute.”
Palestinian writer and novelist Yousri Al-Ghoul wrote on Facebook: “Warm embraces in the streets, kissing the soil drenched in blood and toil, and smiles that surpass any victories.” He added: “The shouting as if they are dreaming, voices rising as they cannot believe what is happening. This is a message to everyone: The occupation was defeated by our resilience, their plans failed, and our cause has returned to the forefront.”
Meanwhile, Rami Abdu, head of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, wrote: “Gaza has given its people and the Palestinian identity what no one in history has given to their homeland. It is now the utmost duty of the Palestinian people, its institutions, elites, and individuals worldwide to mobilize in aiding and repaying Gaza in every possible way.”
Palestinian writer Mohammed Al-Akshia commented: “A salute as vast as the sacred national bond to our people in the strongholds of the central and southern areas, who hosted, welcomed, honored, shared their homes and supplies, opened their streets, markets, and squares for tents, endured hardship, and left us with hearts and space wide enough. Brothers in Canaan, the homeland, history, the cause, and the pain.”
In a post on his Facebook page, he added: “Words cannot express the gratitude to everyone who sheltered others and stood at their doors, tearful, bidding farewell to their guests, saying, ‘May God ease your journey, may He protect you, and may you never experience harm in your loved ones or homes. May your homes always be full of joy, your children, grandchildren, and happiness forever.'”
Activist Mohammed Al-Aila wrote on Facebook: “Praise be to God for the return of our people to their homes after more than a year of forced displacement, after some believed that the occupation’s actions were a predetermined fate and that the Netsarim Axis would remain forever.”
He continued: “Our people returned because the enemy could not displace all of them, and because they resisted with everything they could. The Battle of Beit Hanoun stands as a living example of resilience and resistance, where death traps were laid for the enemy soldiers until the last day of the battle.” He concluded: “Our people are great, their wounds are deep, and the duty of the hour is for everyone to act immediately to aid our people, so their wounds do not deepen further. Do not abandon them twice.”
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