Returnee: We will die here, we will not leave, not even for Trump

DDM News

Returnee; On Monday, a significant development unfolded with the reopening of the Netzarim Corridor, a crucial route for Palestinians who had been displaced from northern Gaza.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that this reopening is especially vital for the approximately 650,000 returnees who have spent months living in temporary camps.

After enduring severe hardships, these returnees are now moving back to their homes, despite the devastation of their properties and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding their future.

The returnee process follows an agreement resolving a delay tied to the release of Arbel Yehoud.

This had caused thousands of Palestinians to be stuck at checkpoints for days, waiting for clearance to head home.

The reopening of the corridor now offers them a long-awaited chance to return to the north, even as the challenges of rebuilding their lives loom large.

Upon their return, many were greeted by masked members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who waved flags and exchanged handshakes with the returning families.

One striking image captured the scene, showing a Hamas militant and a child, both raising their hands in victory signs.

This gesture symbolized the defiance and resilience many returnees feel amid the destruction and displacement.

Proclaiming solidarity, banners along the route read, “Don’t worry, we’ll rebuild it.”

One returnee, Ismail Abu Matar, a father of four, described the overwhelming scene as a “sea of people” moving back north.

He shared his fears that a ceasefire would collapse before they could return, further delaying their hopes of rebuilding their lives.

His sentiment of resilience echoed the spirit of many others in the crowd.

Another returnee, in a show of defiance, declared,

“We will die here, we will not uproot ourselves again, not even Trump could force us to emigrate.”

This statement encapsulates the unyielding determination of the returnees, whose connection to their land remains strong despite the challenges they face.

As the returnees moved forward by foot or by vehicle, they encountered varying levels of inspection.

Vehicles traveling along Salah al-Din Street were subject to checks by an American company, while those walking through al-Rashid Street did not face the same scrutiny.

Despite these hurdles, the overwhelming sentiment among the returnees was one of steadfastness—determined to rebuild their lives amidst the chaos and destruction.

Statements from Hamas and Islamic Jihad further emphasized the symbolic importance of the return.

Hamas referred to it as a victory for the Palestinian people, reinforcing the narrative of resilience and defiance against external pressures.

Islamic Jihad echoed this sentiment, calling it a “legendary scene,” a testament to the community’s unwavering perseverance in the face of displacement, destruction, and ongoing conflict.

For the returnees, this moment represents more than just a physical return to their homes.

It stands as a powerful statement of defiance against the circumstances that have forced them from their land and a symbol of hope amid the uncertainty of rebuilding from the rubble.

Despite the heavy toll taken on their homes and livelihoods, the returnees’ resolve remains unbroken, as they continue to face the challenges of returning to their roots and rebuilding Gaza’s future.

This resilience is not just a personal journey for each returnee, but also a larger statement about the strength of Gaza’s population in enduring years of displacement and destruction.

The return underscores the enduring spirit of Gaza’s people, who, despite the hardships of the past months, continue to find hope and strength in returning home.

This event serves as a reminder of the harsh realities of displacement, but also the profound determination to rebuild and reclaim what has been lost.

The returnees are more than just survivors—they are symbols of the collective resilience of a community that refuses to be uprooted.

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