Palestinians displaced from their homes have started returning to northern Gaza on Monday, following a breakthrough in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, according to a Hamas Interior Ministry official.
This agreement maintains the fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, ravaged by 15 months of conflict and resulting in the displacement of nearly all its residents.
Civil Defence sources report that "tens of thousands" of displaced people were prevented by Israel from returning to northern Gaza on Sunday via the Netzarim crossing, which divides the territory.
Israel justified this refusal by citing the non-release of a civilian, Arbel Yehud, and the lack of information about the status of hostages. Hamas in response accused Israel of violating the agreement by blocking the return of northern Gaza residents.
On Sunday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a breakthrough in negotiations, with Hamas set to release three hostages, including Arbel Yehud, on Thursday, and three more on Saturday, as part of the truce agreement’s first phase. As part of these arrangements, Israel will allow Gazans to return to northern Gaza.
On Monday morning, displaced Palestinians began moving along Al Rachid road via the western part of the Netzarim checkpoint towards Gaza City and the northern region of Gaza, according to a Hamas Interior Ministry official speaking to the AFP.
"We want to reconnect with our memories and our loved ones," said Jihad Abou Miri to the AFP, who had been waiting for 48 hours.
