Israel announced on Monday that Palestinians displaced from northern Gaza can start returning to their homes, following a new hostage release agreement with Hamas.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed that three Israeli civilian hostages will be released in an unscheduled handover on Thursday. In exchange, Palestinians who fled the northern Gaza region during the conflict will be permitted to return starting Monday morning.
Under a ceasefire agreement that took effect earlier, Israel was supposed to allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza last week. However, the process was delayed due to complications in the release of Arbel Yehud, an Israeli civilian hostage whose liberation was postponed.
Yehud, initially scheduled for release in a later hostage swap, is now set to be freed on Thursday along with female soldier Agam Berger and another unnamed individual. This release is in addition to the planned exchange set for Saturday, during which three more hostages are expected to be released. So far, seven Israeli women have been freed by Hamas as part of the ceasefire agreement.
The Israeli military issued a statement informing Gaza residents that they would be allowed to return on foot via the coastal road starting at 5:00 a.m. GMT, and by vehicle through the eastern Salahudeen road at 7:00 a.m. GMT. However, they cautioned residents to avoid approaching Israeli military positions.
Hamas welcomed the return of Gazans to the north, describing it as a victory against alleged plans for the forced displacement of Palestinians. “The return of the displaced is a victory for our people and signals the failure and defeat of the plans for occupation and displacement,” Hamas stated as thousands began moving back north after Israel lifted the restrictions. Hamas ally Islamic Jihad echoed this sentiment, calling the return “a response to all those who dream of displacing our people.”
Israel also received from Hamas a list detailing the status of the 26 hostages expected to be released by the end of the six-week first phase of the agreement.
The developments mark a significant moment in the prolonged conflict, offering a glimmer of hope for peace and stability in the region.
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Israel allows return of Gazans after new hostage breakthrough
cgtn.com
