Palestinians Return to Devastated Gaza as Border Reopens, Facing Ongoing Risks

KHAN YUNIS, Gaza Strip — For Amani Imran, February 6th wasn’t just another day; it was the culmination of 647 days of displacement. The call came at 10 p.m. The night before, informing her that she and her family would finally be permitted to return to Gaza from Egypt. The prospect wasn’t one of returning to normalcy, but of simply *returning* – a powerful draw that eclipsed the realities of a shattered home and ongoing conflict.

“We were all eager to go back,” Imran recalled. “But my daughter Duaa — she wanted it the most. She wanted Gaza.” The Imrans were among the tens of thousands of Palestinians anxiously awaiting the reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, a crossing largely sealed following the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas-led militants. Israel seized control of the crossing in May 2024, effectively shutting it down completely.

The reopening, stipulated in a U.S.-brokered ceasefire last October, was initially blocked by Israel until Hamas could account for all hostages, dead or alive. The limited resumption of traffic – 50 Palestinians allowed into Gaza daily, and 50 in need of medical care permitted to leave with two escorts – only began after Israel last month retrieved the remains of the final deceased hostage. The reality on the ground, however, has fallen short of the promised numbers.

While roughly 80,000 Palestinians had registered with the Palestinian Embassy in Egypt to return, and over 20,000 require medical evacuation according to the World Health Organization, the actual flow has been significantly restricted. As of February 2nd, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories reported approximately 320 patients and escorts had exited Gaza, and around 320 Palestinians had entered – half the anticipated daily figure.

The Imrans’ journey began with a frantic packing session, constrained by a one-suitcase-per-person limit. After a long wait at a meeting point in El Arish, they boarded a bus at 2 a.m. On February 6th, arriving at the crossing around 7 a.m. A brief respite came in the form of water and gift bags provided by the Egyptian Red Crescent, a small gesture of humanity amidst the bureaucratic process.

The family’s initial reason for traveling to Egypt was medical. Adel Imran, 63, required open-heart surgery unavailable in Gaza’s overwhelmed healthcare system. While he received treatment, the family endured the emotional toll of witnessing the destruction unfolding back home and the struggles of loved ones remaining in Gaza. “Sometimes I didn’t eat in Egypt, just to feel solidarity with them,” Imran said.

The uncertainty surrounding the possibility of return weighed heavily on Adel Imran. “I just wished I could be back there,” he confessed. “I thought if it couldn’t happen, I wanted to be buried in El Arish, as close as possible to home.”

The crossing itself was a multi-layered process. After hours of waiting, the Imrans were subjected to inspections by Palestinian Authority border officials, overseen by European Union Border Assistance Mission monitors. Personal belongings were scrutinized, with cosmetics, perfumes, and even phone chargers confiscated. The family’s new phones were flagged, and they were forced to relinquish older devices containing vital medical records and family photos.

“I screamed. I tried to argue. It was useless,” Imran said, describing the frustration of having essential items removed. The group then faced inspection by the Popular Forces, an Israel-backed militia operating in Rafah, accused of various illicit activities. While the Imrans weren’t directly harassed, they were subjected to questioning and a search of their belongings.

Finally, after a long and arduous journey, the Imrans crossed the “Yellow Line” – the armistice boundary – and arrived at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. They were met by their sons, while their daughters and grandchildren had already gone home for the night.

The homecoming wasn’t to a functioning home, but to a tent pitched on the rubble of their former life. Despite the devastation, Imran expressed a profound sense of relief. “I feel like I came back to life,” she said. “Gaza is home. Whatever happened to it, I love being back here with all my family.”

However, the ceasefire hasn’t brought complete peace. Since the truce took effect, at least 601 Palestinians have been killed and 1,607 wounded in Israeli attacks, according to Gazan authorities. Israel maintains that its attacks are in response to Hamas violations of the agreement, and reports four soldier deaths since the ceasefire began. The return, is not a return to safety, but a return to a place still grappling with conflict and rebuilding from unimaginable loss.