We are happy. Even if we return to ruins without life, it is at least our land, says Ameer Abu Iyadeh to AFP in Khan Yunis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The 32-year-old returns to his home after being displaced during the war. He has a pink backpack on his back, a bucket of water in one hand and his daughter's hand in the other. Two more daughters walk beside them.
We are returning to our areas, filled with wounds and sorrow, but we thank God for this situation.
”Lived on the sidewalk”
Areej Abu Saadeh is in a hurry to get home to Khan Yunis. She has lost a daughter and a son in the war.
We have been displaced for two years now. Lived on the sidewalk without protection and without anywhere to live, she says, and tells AFP that she is practically running towards the hometown.
A long crowd winds from the central parts of the strip towards the largest city of Gaza in the north, where the destruction is enormous and where Israel has just completed a military offensive. "God is great", people shout happily.
Waiting
Some rushed home when the ceasefire was about to come into force, while others chose to wait and see what would happen. 40-year-old Ibrahim al-Helou waited a bit before leaving the tent camp where he has lived, but eventually headed north.
The situation was dangerous, with gunfire, so I waited for a while, he says.
Now the road has been opened and we have all continued on the road back to Gaza to see our homes and assess the situation.
