Tens of thousands of displaced Gazans have ended their long stay in temporary camps and begun to return to what is left of their homes.

People have been walking since early dawn on Monday morning, carrying their luggage and children.

For days they have sat in the streets or on the beach with their mattresses, belongings and water bottles, waiting for the checkpoint to open under the terms of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas.

"We miss our home. We have been living in tents for 470 days," Fadi al Sinwar told CNN.

Nadia Qassem from al-Shati refugee camp said, "We have been waiting for this day for a very long time."

Many locals will find only rubble where their houses once stood.

Their return was delayed by 48 hours after Israel accused the Hamas terror group of violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement over the release of hostage Arbel Yehud, which delayed the opening of the Netzarim corridor.

US President Donald Trump has said he would like both Jordan and Egypt to house hundreds of thousands of Palestinians temporarily or long-term because of the "mess" in Gaza. | BGNES