Jerusalem:
Crowds of Palestinians displaced by months of war began moving north into the Gaza Strip on Monday, after Israel and Hamas said they had reached a deal for the release of another six hostages. The breakthrough leaves intact a fragile ceasefire agreement aimed at ending more than 15 months of conflict that has devastated the Gaza Strip and displaced almost all of its residents.
Israel was blocking the return of Palestinians to their homes in northern Gaza, accusing Hamas of violating the terms of the ceasefire. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said late Sunday that a new agreement had been reached with Hamas, after which the crossing point was reopened.
According to reports, residents were the first to arrive in Gaza City early in the morning after the route into central Gaza opened at 7:00 am (0500 GMT). Another crossing opened at nine in the morning.
Gazan Rush Home
Immediately after news of the crossing’s opening appeared, thousands of Gazans began heading north along the coastal road on foot on Monday morning, taking whatever they could with themselves.
Long March for Home: Thousands of Palestinians march down a coastal road finally allowed to return to northern Gaza after Israel-Hamas deal pic.twitter.com/3tt9tQDmgl
– RT (@RT_com) 27 January 2025
“When you go back home, visit your family, relatives and loved ones, and inspect your home – it’s a great feeling if it’s still a home,” displaced Gazan Ibrahim Abu Hasera told AFP. Is.”
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, residents of northern Gaza were to return over the weekend, but Israel said Hamas had broken the agreement by failing to release civilian hostage Yehud and kept the crossing closed. But Gazans are happy that after thinking too late they found a way home.
Thousands of Palestinians of all ages have returned to northern Gaza – emotions run high as they are reunited with family members https://t.co/0SuqIBxb3n pic.twitter.com/R7Cge39aLf
– RT (@RT_com) 27 January 2025
“At least we are going back home, now I can say the war is over and I hope it will be peaceful,” Ghada, a mother of five, told Reuters via a chat app.
He said, “No sleep, I have everything packed and ready to leave with the first ray of day.”
Thousands of Palestinians waited for two days in the streets to return to their homes in northern Gaza, expressing frustration after Israel accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire agreement and refusing to open crossing points.
The Israeli military issued a statement telling Gaza residents that they would be allowed to return on foot via the coastal road at 0500 GMT and in vehicles via the East Salahuddin road at 0700 GMT. It warned them against getting close to the positions of Israeli forces.
“The transfer of terrorists or weapons to the northern Gaza Strip through these routes will be considered a violation of the agreement. Do not cooperate with any terrorist entity that may try to exploit you to move weapons or contraband,” the army said. “
Hamas-Israel deal
Late Sunday, Qatari mediators said Hamas had agreed to release Yehud and two other hostages before Friday in exchange for Israel allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza starting Monday morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud, soldier Agam Berger and another hostage would be released by Hamas on Thursday, with the other three being released on Saturday.
He also said in a post on Twitter that Israel would allow displaced Gaza families to return to homes in the north of the Palestinian enclave from Monday morning.
“The Prime Minister reiterates that Israel will not tolerate any violations of the agreements. We will continue to take action for the return of all our hostages, living and dead,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office said.
Following Qatar’s announcement, Hamas said on Monday morning that it had handed over to mediators the necessary information regarding the list of Israeli hostages who will be released during the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The move, brokered by mediators from Qatar and Egypt, will allow about 650,000 Palestinians in the central and southern Gaza Strip to return to their homes in the north of the enclave, most of whom were displaced by Israel’s 15-month air and ground offensive. Were ruined. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in the attack.
According to Israeli data, Hamas took about 250 people hostage during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed. It sparked the latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The fighting is currently at a standstill amid a fragile ceasefire.
(Tags to translate)Gaza ceasefire(T)IsraelHamas war(T)Gaza hostage deal(T)Arbel Yehud(T)Agam Berger(T)Benjamin Netanyahu(T)Hamas(T)Gazans’ homecoming
