October 13, 2025 | 11:53 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Around 200,000 Palestinians have been returning to their cities and villages in northern Gaza after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Saturday, October 11, 2025, as cited by Antara.
Witnesses reported heavy mobility along Al-Rashid and Salah al-Din streets on Saturday as thousands of people walked or drove towards their homes.
According to Al Jazeera, this lull in fighting coincided with the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza area in the initial stages of the peace agreement with Hamas.
After two years of relentless airstrikes, residents are now sifting through the rubble of their homes. As reported by The New Arab, many are digging through the debris to find missing family members and corpses.
Death Toll and Ground Conditions
The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that at least 135 bodies were recovered in various locations in Gaza within hours after the ceasefire began.
Dozens of other casualties were found in hospitals, including 43 at al-Shifa Hospital and 60 at al-Ahli Arab in Gaza City. Other bodies were taken to medical centers in Nuseirat, Deir el-Balah, and Khan Younis.
Medical officials reported that 19 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Friday morning, just hours before the ceasefire kicked off, including 16 members of the Ghaboun family whose house in southern Gaza City was destroyed by a bomb. It is unclear whether some of the airstrikes occurred after the official ceasefire took effect at noon.
This pause in fighting allowed rescue teams to reach areas that had long been isolated due to the blockade. Survivors in the Zeitoun district of Gaza City returned with minimal belongings. The UN reported that more than 90% of housing units were damaged or destroyed and basic services were paralyzed.
Prisoner Transfers and Israeli Restrictions
Simultaneously with the ceasefire, Israeli prison authorities began transferring Palestinian prisoners due to be released under the deal.
Those from Gaza or to be expelled through the Rafah border were moved to the Ketziot Prison in the Negev. Meanwhile, prisoners from the West Bank were sent to Ofer Prison near Ramallah.
The transfers started on late Friday as part of the preparations for the prisoner exchange mediated by the United States. Israeli officials also confirmed that around 12,000 Palestinian citizens are still detained, including 700 under military detention and 4,000 sleeping without beds in overcrowded cells.
The Israeli military also ordered a ban on celebrations for the released prisoners. Central Command Chief Avi Blot instructed troops to prevent welcoming events in Palestinian cities. The Shin Bet intelligence service will hold warning talks with the families of the prisoners to deter them from holding public events.
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has called for all entry points to Gaza to be opened, citing that 6,000 aid trucks are ready to be dispatched within hours. US President Donald Trump stated that Israeli hostages held in Gaza will be released on Monday.
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