BY LIAM STACK, AARON BOXERMAN AND BILAL SHBAIR

New York Times

TEL AVIV, Israel — Thousands of people began the long walk from the south to the north of the Gaza Strip on Friday after the Israeli military announced a ceasefire that mediators hoped would lead to the end of the two-year war.

Men carried bags, women carried young children, and older children held hands as they made their way up the dusty seaside road toward the ruins of Gaza City, which they were ordered to flee weeks ago. Some said they were heading north for the first time since the war began.

Though the surroundings were bleak, the mood was jubilant.

"The crowds are unbelievable," said Shamekh al-Dibs, who fled south with his family last month. "People are so happy, even if what they're going back to is destruction."

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