Tens of thousands of Palestinians displaced by the war in Gaza started walking north Friday toward homes they were forced to flee — or what remains of them — after the Israeli military announced a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas had gone into effect.

Thousands of people are waiting in central parts of the Gaza Strip for the ceasefire to come into effect between Israel and Hamas.

Tens of thousands of people who had gathered in Wadi Gaza in central Gaza started walking north after the Israeli military’s announcement at noon local time.

Thousands of Palestinians began the long, dusty walk from the south of Gaza toward Gaza City after a ceasefire came into effect in the enclave on Friday. They found their city lying in ruins – yet were relieved to be returning home.

CAIRO (AP) — Bombardment stopped and Israeli troops pulled back in Gaza on Friday under a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. But will the agreement lead, as U.S. President Donald Trump proclaimed, to “a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace”?

Both Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have pledged to advance their peace agreement, which came into effect in the Gaza Strip at Friday noon local time, as the international community stressed the need to ensure full implementation of the ceasefire with no violations and demanded guarantees in the process.

Israeli bombing has damaged or destroyed an estimated 80% of Gaza’s structures since the war started two years ago.

WADI GAZA, Gaza Strip (AP) — Tens of thousands of Palestinians headed back to the heavily destroyed northern Gaza Strip on Friday as a U.S.-brokered ceasefire came into effect in a deal that raised hopes for ending the Israel-Hamas war. All the remaining hostages were set to be released within days.