Gazans Returned to North Amid Destruction, Divided Over Trump’s Plan
Amid ongoing hardship, many residents of Gaza reject US President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate them to Jordan and Egypt, while some see it as a chance to escape suffering
[Gaza City] Hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans have returned to the northern part of the Strip, passing through the Israeli-controlled Netzarim Corridor under strict regulations. Movement is tightly restricted, with pedestrians allowed on Al-Rashid Coastal Road from 7 a.m. and vehicles permitted on Salah al-Din Street from 9 a.m., with a limit of just 100 cars per day. Security checks are in place to prevent smuggling.
The passage is overseen by multiple entities: Hamas manages internal movement, Israel controls external checkpoints, Egypt supervises the Rafah Crossing, and Qatar facilitates humanitarian aid. Additionally, US forces provide security oversight.
Returning to a Devastated North
Rami Yousef Ammar, a coordinator from the Palestinian police, described the coordination between different authorities:
“The movement of displaced citizens from the south to the north of Gaza had coordination between us, the Hamas resistance, and the Israeli forces. We are standing here at a point where there are also the Egyptian brothers on one side and Israelis on the other so that we can organize a movement for the passage of the citizens.”
Many Gazans returning to the north were overcome with emotion, finding their homes reduced to rubble. Sahar Hamid, originally from Gaza City, expressed her distress:
“Our feelings are indescribable. Between the happiness and sadness for those who have left, and the destruction we saw, and what we will see in Gaza and the north, all the north has been destroyed. All the houses of my family are gone. Only the houses of a few people remain. We don’t know what they will return to.”
Despite the devastation, some saw returning as a moment of triumph. Haneen Abed shared her conflicting emotions:
My joy is indescribable. My tongue is numb. Finally, we’re back home. Even though our house is destroyed, I want to build a tent near it.
“I’m very happy. My joy is indescribable. My tongue is numb. Finally, we’re back home. Even though our house is destroyed, I want to build a tent near it. My father is a martyr. My family is all martyrs. I don’t have a brother or a sister. But I’m very proud of my family, of my people, and of my destroyed house.”
Others, like Ibtehal Elkfarna, spoke of the hardship endured on the journey north:
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“I came yesterday. I left the south at 10 a.m. and arrived here at 11 p.m. We slept in the streets. We came with nothing. We walked 15 kilometers. Where are all the Arabs? Hezbollah and all the others? We will not take revenge on them. But where is the Arab League? Look at us. We have lived in tents for a long time. We will not return to anything now.”
Debate Over Trump’s Relocation Proposal
As Gazans struggle to rebuild, discussions have emerged over US President Donald Trump’s proposal to resettle them in Jordan and Egypt. Some, like Ali Alloush, strongly rejected the idea:
“Who wants to leave their home? We don’t want to migrate elsewhere. Gaza is our country. How can we leave to another country? This is unacceptable. Even the presidents of the Arab countries refuse this. Why do they refuse? Because of the deportation. Who wants to leave their home? We want to live in Gaza.”
They say that we have Jordan and Egypt as options, but we will die here and we will not leave Gaza, because this is our land, and this is our country
Sami Mahmood echoed this sentiment: “They say that we have Jordan and Egypt as options, but we will die here and we will not leave Gaza, because this is our land, and this is our country. We were born in it, and we will die in it. We will tell Trump not to deport us.”
However, others, like Mohammed Nasser from al-Zaytoun, saw relocation as an escape from suffering:
There is nothing left. My mother and father were martyred. Our house was destroyed and shelled. When will we rebuild it? I am with this plan. It is enough suffering.
“There is nothing left. My mother and father were martyred. Our house was destroyed and shelled. When will we rebuild it? I am with this plan. It is enough suffering, it is enough misery, it is enough wounds. You can’t find a worse place than here. Here we are suffering. If there is a way to emigrate, I will emigrate.”
Resistance and Continued Hardships
For many, staying in Gaza is linked to resistance. Rehab al-Kahlot, a mother from Jabalia refugee camp whose three sons were arrested by Israeli forces, affirmed her determination:
“The inhabitants of Jabalia are the symbol of resistance. Jabalia was the beginning and the end of the battle. As long as the Israeli occupation tries to separate us from our country, we will remain steadfast. Our home is shelled, and there are buildings destroyed, but we are proud of our dignity.”
Others, like Ali Al-Maghribi, described their desperate living conditions:
“This is a cemetery. The Jews destroyed everything, and now we must stay in this cemetery and settle here. Where could we go? There are no places to stay in. People are collecting metal and wood so that we can support ourselves.”
Despite Israeli claims that it has dismantled Hamas in Gaza, many residents insist that the ideology of resistance remains intact.
Mohammed Abu Hussein declared: “The Israeli enemy realized that the people of Gaza are strong on this land. Any scene where there is pride for our resistance is a scene of joy. The resistance is an idea that cannot be erased.”
Even children and women voiced their support. Mahmoud Deyab, whose brother is imprisoned, celebrated what he saw as a victory:
“We are happy today; this is a great day. Hamas came out and freed us. And we took pictures with them, and we were happy today.”
Shadia Abu Elaish, a woman who lost 53 family members, insisted on rebuilding:
“We want to rebuild the north with the resilience of our youth. All women must bear and get used to martyrdom. The resistance is what protected our backs. This is a day of victory.”
As thousands attempt to restart their lives amid ruins, the future of Gaza remains uncertain. Whether through resistance or resettlement, Gazans continue to struggle for survival and stability in a land marked by conflict.
Giorgia Valente contributed to this report.
