Long lines of Palestinians -- some kneeling to kiss the soil as they stepped into the northern part of the strip -- were making their way home on Monday.

Israel has begun allowing Palestinians to return to the heavily destroyed north of the Gaza Strip for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-month war with Hamas, in accordance with a fragile ceasefire.

Militant group Hamas has hailed the return of thousands of displaced people to northern Gaza a "victory", as Palestinians gathered with their belongings to return to the strip for the first time since the war began.