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Tens of thousands of Palestinians returned to areas of Gaza where Israeli forces had withdrawn on Sunday to find scenes of vast destruction and bodies hidden beneath the rubble, as President Donald Trump headed to the region to finalize a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas.
In the three days since the ceasefire was announced across Gaza, some 500,000 are estimated to have returned to Gaza City, which has borne the brunt of Israel’s firepower in recent weeks.
Palestinians shared images showing entire neighborhoods razed to the ground. Some posted videos expressing relief that their home was still standing after two years of one of the most devastating aerial bombardments in modern history, the primary weapon in an assault that international experts have declared a genocide.
Read more: How the Trump Administration Sealed the Gaza Ceasefire Deal
Rami Mohammad-Ali, 37, described seeing bodies scattered along the roadside as he returned to Gaza City.
“We couldn’t believe the destruction we have seen,” he told Reuters by phone after walking nearly ten miles from Deir Al Balah to Gaza City. “We are joyful to return…but at the same time we have bitter feelings about the destruction,” he said.
It came as preparations were underway in Israel to receive 20 living hostages and 28 bodies that had been held by Hamas since the group launched a surprise terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. In Gaza, the same preparations were being made to receive 250 Palestinian prisoners convicted of serious crimes, and 1,700 who were seized by Israel during the war and held without charge, including 22 children.
President Trump arrives in Tel Aviv on Monday to address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, and meet with the families of Israeli hostages. Speaking to reporters ahead of his flight, he was confident about the prospect of a long term peace.
“The war is over, you understand that,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he began a flight from Washington to Israel.
After…
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