Image credit: BBC
Israeli forces have officially pulled out from the Netzarim Corridor, a key military zone that had cut off the northern Gaza Strip from the south for much of the ongoing conflict. Following this withdrawal, hundreds of Palestinians began making their way back north, many traveling by car or on carts loaded with personal belongings, including mattresses and household goods. For them, the pullout marked a tentative return to the land they had fled during Israel’s invasion, but the scene that greeted them was one of utter devastation.
The Netzarim Corridor had been one of the focal points of the conflict, effectively dividing Gaza into two halves and restricting movement between the north and south. The latest Israeli military withdrawal is seen as part of the ceasefire agreement brokered between Israel and Hamas on January 19, 2025, which has already resulted in the release of 16 Israeli hostages and 566 Palestinian prisoners. Under the terms of the deal, by the end of the first stage of the ceasefire, which is set to conclude in about three weeks, 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners are expected to be freed. The release of prisoners has brought a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing destruction and loss, although Israel reports that eight of the 33 hostages are already confirmed dead.
For those returning to northern Gaza, however, the reality on the ground is grim. The region has suffered catastrophic damage during the war, with buildings, homes, shops, mosques, farms, universities, and even the courthouse reduced to rubble. “What we saw was a catastrophe, horrific destruction,” said Osama Abu Kamil, a resident of al-Maghraqa, just north of the corridor. After being displaced to the southern city of Khan Yunis for more than a year, Abu Kamil now plans to set up a tent for his family beside the remains of his destroyed house. He added, “We have no choice.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by Mahmoud al-Sarhi, another displaced Palestinian who had been living in southern Gaza. “Arriving at the Netzarim Corridor meant death until this morning,” he said. For al-Sarhi, seeing his destroyed home in the nearby Zeitun area was a painful moment, and he expressed his inability to live in the region due to the complete ruin.
The exodus from northern Gaza began when Israeli forces issued mass evacuation orders at the start of the war, causing around 700,000 residents to flee south. Afterward, many of these displaced people were forced to relocate again as Israeli military operations spread to southern Gaza. The road through the Netzarim Corridor had remained closed off to them, effectively preventing their return. Now, with the withdrawal, pedestrians were able to use the coastal Rashid Street to cross into northern Gaza, but those traveling by vehicle had to pass through Salah al-Din Street, where they were subjected to screenings for weapons by US and Egyptian security contractors.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not officially commented on the withdrawal from the eastern part of the corridor, which had previously divided Gaza in two. However, reports from Haaretz indicate that the Hamas-run Gaza interior ministry has advised residents to proceed with caution and to follow the existing safety guidelines. The withdrawal, however, is seen as a key step in the phased implementation of the ceasefire agreement, which aims for a permanent halt to hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
Simultaneously, an Israeli delegation is set to fly to Qatar for talks. Qatar has been acting as a mediator in the conflict, and the delegation is expected to focus initially on technical matters related to the first phase of the ceasefire. However, the second phase of the agreement, which would involve the exchange of all remaining hostages, more Palestinian prisoners, and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, remains a point of uncertainty. This stage will require further negotiations and guidance from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The timing of the Israeli withdrawal comes as Netanyahu engages in diplomatic talks with U.S. officials, including former President Donald Trump. In a controversial move, Trump has proposed the removal of Gaza’s entire civilian population as part of a plan to transform the region into what he called “The Riviera of the Middle East.” This proposal, however, has been met with widespread condemnation, including from Arab states. The Saudi foreign ministry issued a statement rejecting the idea, calling it an infringement on Palestinian rights and accusing Israel of attempting “ethnic cleansing.” Egypt also voiced its opposition to Trump’s plan and announced it would convene an emergency summit of the Arab League to address the situation.
The international community has also widely rejected the notion of forcibly removing Palestinians from Gaza, considering it a violation of international law. Critics argue that such a plan would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the region and deepen the already entrenched divisions between Israelis and Palestinians. Despite these objections, Netanyahu has expressed support for Trump’s proposal, describing it as a “completely different vision, much better for the State of Israel,” and one that he intends to explore further.
As the situation in Gaza remains precarious, the Israeli withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor is just one chapter in an ongoing saga marked by violence, displacement, and destruction. While the ceasefire agreement offers a glimmer of hope, the long-term prospects for peace remain uncertain, particularly as more extreme proposals, like Trump’s, gain traction in certain political circles. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining whether the ceasefire can hold and whether a lasting resolution to the conflict is possible.
For now, however, the people of Gaza are left to sift through the ruins of their homes, and the broader region faces an uncertain future, with the fate of Gaza and its people hanging in the balance.
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