Since the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip came into effect at dawn yesterday, Friday, thousands of Palestinians have continued to return to their homes on Al-Jalaa Street in central Gaza City, weeks after heavy shelling destroyed most of the residential buildings in the area. Footage showed thousands of residents walking through the rubble, with buildings that once housed homes and shops apparently completely destroyed. Some residents were seen sifting through the rubble, searching for the remains of their belongings or personal belongings.
Gazans raise the Palestinian flag in the midst of the rubble of their homes that were destroyed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/cGb6EW60Sc
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) October 11, 2025
The ceasefire, following a war described as the bloodiest in modern history, has opened a path for the displaced to return and assess the immense destruction. Coinciding with the return of civilians, civil defense and municipal engineering vehicles began the monumental task of clearing rubble and opening roads to facilitate movement in the devastated areas.
After Israeli occupation forces withdrew, Al-Sabra neighbourhood in Gaza City lies in ruins due to the relentless Israeli bombardment. pic.twitter.com/icQrlEobNZ
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) October 11, 2025
In a move to restore order, the Ministry of Interior and National Security in Gaza announced the deployment of its forces in the areas from which the occupation army withdrew. The Ministry called on citizens to protect public and private property and to cooperate with police and security forces to ensure public safety.
The journey back… small feet, a heavy load, and hope that has not yet died. pic.twitter.com/PZlVv91ghC
— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) October 11, 2025
Prisoner Deal Developments and Political Stance
Meanwhile, developments continued on the prisoner exchange front. The Prisoners’ Information Office denied that an official agreement had been reached on the lists, following Israeli publication of names. Israeli media reported that the Prison Service had begun transferring “security prisoners” for release.
According to reports, the deal involves the release of approximately 250 Palestinian prisoners, though the Israeli newspaper Walla, citing sources, claimed the final list “includes only 195 prisoners serving life sentences” after internal objections.
Previously, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine affirmed, in a joint statement, their absolute rejection of any foreign tutelage. They considered determining the form of governance in the Gaza Strip and the foundations of its institutions’ work to be an internal Palestinian matter, while expressing their willingness to benefit from Arab and international participation in the areas of reconstruction, recovery, and development support, in a manner that promotes a dignified life for our people and preserves their rights in their land.
Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine called for unity and national responsibility to embark on a unified national political process with all forces and factions, in cooperation with Egyptian efforts to hold an urgent comprehensive national meeting to determine the next step after the ceasefire. This meeting aims to unify the Palestinian position, formulate a comprehensive national strategy, and rebuild national institutions based on partnership, credibility, and transparency.
20 martyrs and 135 bodies recovered in Gaza in one day
Meanwhile, medical sources reported after midnight that the bodies of 155 martyrs had arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals over the past 24 hours, including the bodies of 135 martyrs who were recovered from under the rubble, according to the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA).
The sources stated that 19 martyrs were killed by Israeli fire on Friday, in addition to a citizen who succumbed to his previous injuries.
According to sources, 16 citizens were killed in the bombing of the Ghaboun family home (south of Gaza City), one citizen was killed in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood (north of the city), and two citizens were killed in an Israeli army airstrike south of Khan Yunis (south of the Gaza Strip).
The Palestinian National Campaign to Recover the Bodies of Martyrs and Uncover the Fate of Missing Persons (non-governmental organization) stated that the enemy continues to detain 735 Palestinian bodies, including 67 children.
The committee explained in a statement that the Israeli occupation authorities are holding the bodies of 735 martyrs, including 256 in the numbered cemeteries.
The numbered cemeteries are simple graves surrounded by stones without headstones. A metal plate bearing a number is affixed to each grave, but not the name of the body. Each numbered grave has a separate file maintained by Israeli security forces.
Source: Agencies (edited and translated by Al-Manar English Website)
