Between the North and the South: Thousands of Palestinians and Lebanese Trapped by the Same Obstacle

27th January 2025

3 minutes read

Between the North and the South: Thousands of Palestinians and Lebanese Trapped by the Same Obstacle

Tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered on Al-Rashid Street in central Gaza, waiting for permission to return to their homes in the northern part of the territory.

At the same time, thousands of Lebanese were gathering, waiting to return to their homes in southern Lebanon.

The difference between the Palestinians’ and Lebanese’s waiting times is one year: the forced displacement of Palestinians from northern Gaza began in October 2023, while that of the Lebanese began in October 2024.

In both cases, displacement occurred under the threat of Israeli bombings. In northern Gaza, Israel’s ground offensive started on October 27, 2023, while in southern Lebanon, it began on October 1, 2024.

Ironically, the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon stipulated that the Israeli army would complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon within 60 days of the agreement’s enforcement, which coincides with this Sunday.

For Gaza, the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas stated that Palestinians could return to their homes in northern Gaza as early as Saturday or, at the latest, Sunday.

However, in both cases, neither the Palestinians in northern Gaza nor the Lebanese in southern Lebanon have been allowed to return home.

The return of both populations is tied to announcements by the Israeli army, relayed by its Arabic-speaking spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, who issued warnings to both groups.

Early Sunday, Adraee issued a warning titled: “Urgent Announcement to the Residents of Gaza”, stating that “in light of Hamas’s violations of the ceasefire and to avoid misunderstandings, all existing instructions remain in force, especially the prohibition of approaching the Netzarim axis until further notice.”

He added, “The Netzarim axis will not be opened for transit until the release of the Israeli citizen Arbel Yehoud has been resolved through mediators.”

Later, he addressed southern Lebanon residents: “A new reminder to southern Lebanon residents: until further notice, movement southward to the affected villages is prohibited. Anyone violating this faces danger.”

The Israeli army also deployed tanks and soldiers to the Netzarim axis, separating northern Gaza from the rest of the strip, and to roads leading to southern Lebanese villages.

This did not stop tens of thousands of Palestinians from gathering on Al-Rashid Street on foot, nor thousands of Lebanese waiting in car queues with clothes and personal belongings.

These waits were marked by clashes. On Saturday evening, a Palestinian was killed and others injured by Israeli fire in Gaza, while a Lebanese soldier was killed, and another injured near Marjayoun.

The Lebanese army stated its units were accompanying civilians returning to border villages. However, Israel continues to violate Lebanon’s sovereignty, causing civilian and military casualties, and refuses to honor the ceasefire agreement.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army said it had fired shots to deter “threats” in southern Lebanon and arrested several suspects.

Israel claims further operations are needed in southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from regaining a foothold south of the Litani River. In Gaza, its justification is awaiting proof of life for Arbel Yehoud.

In Israel, the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza is seen as signaling the war’s end, just as the return of Lebanese civilians would mark the end of the conflict in Lebanon.