Palestinians return to Gaza – demographic engineering fails before sumud
Widespread destruction near the Rafah Crossing
The Palestine Chronicle reports on 17 February 2026
Key Developments
- Testimonies reported by Al-Jazeera show civilians returning despite destruction, shortages, and continued danger.
- Israeli policy commentary in Hebrew media questions the feasibility of ethnic cleansing and rapid disarmament timelines.
- The contrast reveals a widening gap between strategic planning abroad and lived demographic reality inside Gaza.
Walking Back Into the Rubble
The first movement is human, not political: people walking home. Field reporting from Gaza describes families crossing back through Rafah even though many neighborhoods no longer exist.
One woman who returned after months in Egypt found her apartment in Khan Yunis reduced to debris and now lives in a tent without water or furniture — yet described a sense of calm simply from being back, Al-Jazeera Arabic reported. Another family left stable housing abroad only to settle again beside ruins, explaining that belonging outweighed safety.
Officials inside Gaza estimate tens of thousands want to return despite continued attacks and severe shortages. Crossing procedures remain slow and restrictive, involving hours of waiting, questioning, and searches, but the desire to re-enter continues to grow.