Palestinian Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal said mass movements occurred after Israeli attacks ended on Friday. AFP reported that more than half a million people returned to Gaza as of Saturday. Authorities say rescue and aid distribution efforts are ongoing amid the aftermath of two years of conflict.

Authorities added that 9,500 people remain missing under rubble. Rescue teams have recovered approximately 155 bodies so far. The agency called on the Red Cross to coordinate with Israel, which lacks the equipment to recover all missing persons.

Returning residents set up temporary shelters on rubble. Aid is not expected to arrive until Sunday, leaving many without sufficient shelter.

85% of Gaza is in ruins

Prior to the ceasefire, roughly 700,000 people were displaced from Gaza City and the north due to Israeli bombardments. The mayor of Khan Yunis said 85% of the area was destroyed. About 400,000 tons of debris must be removed before reconstruction can begin.

400 Trucks of Aid to Enter Gaza

The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel includes increased aid to Gaza and the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Under the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, crossings will fully open on Monday, allowing 400 aid trucks per day, expected to rise to 600 in the coming days.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said discussions with Israel continue regarding aid volume, distribution frequency, and additional border openings. “What has changed since yesterday is that the weapons seem to have been silenced,” he said. “It is safer for our personnel to operate.”

UNRWA’s Role

The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said its warehouses hold enough supplies to fill 6,000 trucks. Teams are ready to distribute life-saving aid across Gaza.

UNRWA’s Gaza Field Director Sam Rose, in an interview with Middle East Eye (MEE), said Israel’s restrictions on operations in occupied Palestinian territories raise questions about the agency’s ability to deliver aid. While the current ban does not apply to UNRWA’s Gaza operations, a “contactless” policy prevents trucks from entering the area.

Rose added that UNRWA is prepared to facilitate other organizations’ aid deliveries to Gaza. “What we are advocating for is allowing UNRWA to distribute these supplies when they reach Gaza,” he said. “The law does not restrict UNRWA’s operations in the area.”

He emphasized UNRWA’s expertise as critical for effective and widespread aid distribution. “We have enough food for two to three months, and the population is starving. We have shelter materials for hundreds of thousands and blankets for over a million people.”

Unlike other NGOs, UNRWA’s long-term presence in Gaza provides the networks and trust needed for rapid, safe aid delivery. Rose said, “If UNRWA is not allowed to participate in aid distribution, it will make life far more difficult for everyone in Gaza.”