Tens of thousands of forcibly displaced Palestinians are walking across devastated swaths of Gaza to return home. long awaited ceasefire The agreement between Israel and Hamas comes into effect after more than 15 months of war.

Israel on sunday It said the truce with Hamas began in Gaza at 11:15 am (09:15 GMT), nearly three hours later than originally planned. last minute delays By order of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

During the 15 months of genocide, nearly the entire population of Gaza of 2.3 million was forcibly displaced, in many cases more than once.

In the northern area of ​​Jabaliya, hundreds of Palestinians flow down A sandy path leading back to an apocalyptic landscape littered with piles of rubble and destroyed buildings.

In the main southern city of Khan Younis, people celebrated their upcoming return home.

“I’m very, very happy,” Wafa al-Habir said. “I want to go back and kiss the land and the soil of Gaza. I long for Gaza (the city) and for our loved ones.”

Gaza’s civil defense agency said at least 19 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks during the postponement of the ceasefire agreement.