On the coastal roads of Gaza, a long procession of exhausted people is walking north toward a city of ruins, carrying what survived the war on their backs. Their steps mark the fragile opening of a ceasefire that ends nearly two years of destruction, a conflict that began with Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, and that has taken more than 67,000 Palestinian lives. Hostages and prisoners are being exchanged under the supervision of the Red Cross, and the world is hoping, cautiously, that the pause can become a lasting peace. Whether it holds will depend on promises still unfulfilled: the disar
Gaza Ceasefire Takes Effect as Hostage Exchange Begins and Palestinians Return to Ruined Gaza City
Over 67,000 Palestinians have died during nearly two years of conflict, and returnees are described as exhausted, weak and malnourished after months of displacement, hunger and fear.
Exhaustion marked the mood more than celebration.
Mark
Why do the images of people walking north matter so much today?
Mimi
Because they show what the ceasefire means on the ground. Thousands are walking more than 20 kilometres toward a city that is mostly rubble, carrying what they have left on their backs.
Mark
The mood sounds mixed. Some flew flags and flashed victory signs.
Mimi
Yes, but the prevailing feeling was exhaustion. Many looked weak and malnourished after months of displacement and hunger. Those who could pay hired donkey carts or small trucks.
Luke
Worth noting that the victory signs are visual detail from footage. We don't have a count of how many people are returning beyond "thousands."
Mark
And the hostage exchange?
Mimi
Seven Israeli hostages have gone to the Red Cross and on to their families. Twenty are expected in total, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Luke
Seven are confirmed released. The 20 and the "nearly 2,000" are expected figures, not completed ones.
Mark
Trump said the war is over. Is it?
Luke
That is his declaration. The deal's durability depends on Hamas disarmament and a technocratic governance structure, and the reporting doesn't say how either will happen.
Mimi
The Sharm el-Sheikh summit, with leaders from over 20 nations, is where a lasting framework is supposed to be finalized. Iran declined to attend.
Luke
And Germany is only considering lifting its arms export limits. Nothing is decided there.
Le Pouls
- Thousands of displaced Palestinians are marching more than 20 kilometres toward Gaza City, many paying steep prices for donkey carts or trucks.
- Seven Israeli hostages have been handed to the Red Cross, with about 20 expected in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
- Returnees arrive weak and malnourished, finding homes reduced to rubble and a city that has become unrecognizable.
- The deal's survival hangs on Hamas disarmament and a technocratic governance structure that does not yet exist.
- A Sharm el-Sheikh peace summit and a possible shift in German arms export policy will test whether the ceasefire can take root.
On the coastal roads of Gaza, a long procession of exhausted people is walking north toward a city of ruins, carrying what survived the war on their backs. Their steps mark the fragile opening of a ceasefire that ends nearly two years of destruction, a conflict that began with Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, and that has taken more than 67,000 Palestinian lives. Hostages and prisoners are being exchanged under the supervision of the Red Cross, and the world is hoping, cautiously, that the pause can become a lasting peace. Whether it holds will depend on promises still unfulfilled: the disarmament of Hamas and the building of a new governance that the land has not yet seen.
On the narrow coastal roads running north through Gaza, thousands of Palestinians have begun walking home. Long columns stretch from the south toward Gaza City, where collapsed towers and ruined buildings now stand. They fled the Israeli offensive only weeks ago, and many of them carry whatever remains of their belongings.
The walk follows a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has now taken effect. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, and nearly two years of fighting followed. More than 67,000 Palestinians were killed, and much of Gaza was left in ruins. Many returnees have covered over 20 kilometres on foot, and those with money paid steep prices for carts or trucks. Some wave flags and flash victory signs, but exhaustion marks the mood far more than celebration.
The agreement also includes a hostage and prisoner exchange, now underway. The first seven Israeli hostages were handed to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza and reunited with their families in Israel. About 20 hostages are expected to be freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, with the ICRC supervising the transfers.
World leaders have greeted the deal with cautious optimism. US President Donald Trump, who mediated it, declared that the war is over, and he is set to address the Knesset and co-chair a peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh with leaders from more than 20 nations. Iran declined its invitation, a reminder that regional tensions persist. Germany is also weighing an end to its restrictions on arms exports to Israel.
The ceasefire's durability depends on carrying out its terms, including the disarmament of Hamas and a technocratic governance structure for Gaza. Reconstruction and long-term stability come next, and the summit and the question of disarmament will show whether this pause becomes peace.
On the narrow coastal roads running north through Gaza, thousands of Palestinians began walking home. Footage showed long columns of people heading from the south toward Gaza City, the territory's largest city, where collapsed towers and ruined buildings now stand. They had fled the Israeli offensive only weeks earlier.
The walk follows a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has now taken effect, ending a war that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel that caused heavy casualties and widespread damage. Israel responded with an extensive military operation in Gaza. Over nearly two years of fighting, more than 67,000 Palestinians were killed and much of Gaza was left in ruins. The scale of the humanitarian crisis prompted international calls for a ceasefire and negotiations.
Many of the returnees covered more than 20 kilometres on foot, carrying what was left of their belongings on their backs. Those with money paid steep prices to hire donkey carts or small trucks for the journey. Some waved Palestinian flags and flashed victory signs, but exhaustion marked the mood more than celebration. Many looked weak and malnourished after months of displacement, hunger and fear.
The agreement also includes a hostage and prisoner exchange, which is now underway. Hamas has begun releasing Israeli hostages, and the first seven were handed to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza. They were then taken to Israel, where they were reunited with their families. In all, 20 Israeli hostages are expected to be freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The ICRC is supervising the transfers to keep them safe and orderly.
World leaders have responded with cautious optimism. US President Donald Trump, who played a central role in mediating the deal, declared, "The war is over." He is scheduled to visit Israel to address the Knesset, then to co-chair a peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The summit is meant to finalize a lasting peace framework for Gaza and is to include leaders from more than 20 nations. Iran declined its invitation, a sign that regional tensions persist.
There are also early signs of shifting international positions. German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said Germany is considering lifting its restrictions on arms exports to Israel.
The ceasefire's durability depends on whether the agreed terms are carried out. They include the disarmament of Hamas and the creation of a technocratic governance structure in Gaza. International efforts are expected to turn next to reconstruction and long-term stability. The summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, and whether Hamas disarmament actually proceeds, are the next things to watch.
Citations marquantes
The war is over.— US President Donald Trump
Germany is considering lifting its restrictions on arms exports to Israel.— German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (paraphrased)
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