Thousands of Gazans Return to Ruins as Ceasefire Takes Hold Under Trump’s Peace Plan

Israel begins troop withdrawal; Hamas rejects foreign control of post-war Gaza administration

JERUSALEM/CAIRO, Oct. 10 (Reuters) — Thousands of displaced Palestinians trekked across Gaza’s wastelands on Friday, returning to the ruins of their former homes after a ceasefire took effect and Israeli forces began withdrawing under the first phase of an agreement aimed at ending the war.

A massive column of people moved north along Gaza’s coastal road toward Gaza City — the enclave’s largest urban area — which had been heavily bombarded in recent days during one of Israel’s most intense offensives.

“Thank God my house is still standing,” said Ismail Zayda, 40, in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan district. “But the place is destroyed — my neighbours’ houses are destroyed, entire districts have gone.” 

Further south, in Khan Younis, residents picked their way through rubble and dust. Many walked silently through what was once Gaza’s second-largest city, now reduced to ruins. “We went to our area — it was exterminated,” said Ahmed al-Brim, who salvaged wood from his wrecked home to use as firewood. “We couldn’t get furniture or clothes, not even winter clothes. Nothing is left.”

Palestinian health authorities reported that medical teams recovered about 100 bodies from across Gaza following the Israeli pullback.

Ceasefire and Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan

The truce marks the first significant step toward ending the two-year conflict, as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to restore peace. Speaking at the White House, Trump said he was confident the ceasefire would hold: “They’re all tired of the fighting.” He added that while there was “consensus” on next steps, key details still needed to be finalized.

The Israeli military confirmed that the ceasefire took effect at noon local time (0900 GMT), allowing troops 24 hours to withdraw from urban positions — though more than half of Gaza remains under Israeli control.

Trump announced plans to visit the Middle East next week, including stops in Israel and Egypt, where he is expected to address the Israeli Knesset and lead an international “Gaza Peace Summit.” His proposal includes forming a post-war governing body — the “Board of Peace” — led by Trump himself and joined by figures such as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

However, Hamas swiftly rejected any “foreign guardianship,” declaring that Gaza’s governance remains “an internal Palestinian matter.”

Israel, Hamas Prepare for Next Steps

In a televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces would remain in Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed. “If this is achieved the easy way, good; if not, it will be achieved the hard way,” he said.

Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas has 72 hours to release the 20 remaining Israeli hostages, while Israel is set to free 250 long-term Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees captured during the war. Humanitarian aid — including hundreds of truckloads of food and medical supplies — is expected to enter Gaza daily.

Brigadier General Effie Defrin, an Israeli military spokesperson, urged Gazans to stay away from areas still under military control, saying, “Keep to the agreement and ensure your safety.”

Aftermath and Uncertainty 

Both Israelis and Palestinians celebrated the deal, which could end two years of devastating conflict that killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and left Gaza in ruins.

Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’s exiled leader in Gaza, said he had received “guarantees from the United States and other mediators that the war is over.”

The war began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israeli communities and a music festival, which left 1,200 people dead and 251 hostages captured. Twenty hostages are still believed to be alive in Gaza, while others are presumed dead.

Despite the ceasefire, major challenges remain — including how Gaza will be governed post-conflict and whether Hamas will agree to disarm. The Hamas-run interior ministry said it would deploy security forces in areas vacated by Israel, but it remains unclear whether militants will return to the streets — a move that could test the fragile truce.