Gaza return: Israel and Hamas reach landmark agreement
Israel has allowed Palestinians to return to the northern Gaza Strip as part of an agreement with Hamas, reports the Associated Press.
Israel has permitted Palestinians to return to the northern Gaza Strip, following an agreement with Hamas. The decision, according to the Associated Press, was announced on Monday.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians, who gathered on Sunday near the Netzarim corridor, occupied by Israeli forces, began crossing it on Monday morning.
The return to the devastated part of the Gaza Strip was delayed by a few days due to mutual accusations of violating the terms of the ceasefire negotiated in January. Israel ordered a complete evacuation in the early days of the war with Hamas.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Hamas did not release the civilian hostage Arbel Yehud on Saturday, nor did it provide information about the abducted individual. Qatar, a key mediator in the conflict, announced on Monday about a agreement between the parties concerning the hostage, according to AP.
What does the agreement between Hamas and Israel entail?
The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel includes a swap of 33 hostages held by Hamas for about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. The Red Cross is mediating the exchange. This is the first phase of the agreement, which is expected to last until early March.
The war in the Gaza Strip began on 7th October 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people. In the ongoing conflict, over 47,000 residents of the Gaza Strip have died, and the majority have been forced to flee. A humanitarian crisis continues in the region.