Israel Prohibits Residents from Returning to Northern Gaza

Synopsis

In a recent statement, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office declared a temporary ban on Palestinian residents returning to the northern Gaza Strip. This decision follows the ongoing hostage negotiations and the anticipated release of Israeli civilian Arbel Yehud.

Key Takeaways

Israel has temporarily banned Palestinian residents from returning to northern Gaza.
The ban is linked to the hostage release of Arbel Yehud.
Many residents were displaced due to ongoing conflict.
The hostage release is part of a ceasefire agreement.
Negotiations were mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the USA.

Jerusalem/Gaza, Jan 25 (NationPress) The office of the Prime Minister of Israel announced on Saturday that Palestinian residents will not be permitted to return to their residences in the northern Gaza Strip for the time being.

The announcement specified that this restriction will remain in effect until the arrangement for the release of Israeli civilian Arbel Yehud, who was anticipated to be freed on Saturday but was not among the four Israelis released by Hamas, is finalized.

Numerous inhabitants of the northern Gaza Strip were compelled to evacuate their homes amidst the conflict and have relocated to temporary shelters in the south.

They are expected to return to their residences in accordance with the ceasefire-hostage agreement established between Israel and Hamas.

The statement highlighted that Yehud's release is part of the second exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, which was enacted last week.

In the meantime, a senior figure from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement disclosed that the Israeli hostage Yehud is alive and is set to be released next Saturday, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Earlier on Saturday, Hamas released four female Israeli soldiers: Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy, who arrived at an Israeli military facility near the Gaza border in good health.

The soldiers, aged between 19 and 20, were taken captive by Hamas from the Israeli army's surveillance base at Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023, close to the Gaza Strip border.

According to the statement, the four returning hostages were escorted by IDF special forces and ISA agents as they returned to Israeli territory, where they will undergo an initial medical evaluation.

The four are scheduled to reunite with their families at the IDF's Reim camp, located near the Gaza Strip border, and will subsequently be flown by helicopter to Beilinson Hospital in central Israel.

The transfer of the four soldiers from Hamas to the Red Cross in Gaza was broadcast live, showcasing them in good health, walking and smiling.

This hostage release is part of the second phase of a prisoner-hostage exchange between Hamas and Israel, conducted under the foundational terms of a ceasefire agreement.

The first phase of the six-week ceasefire commenced on January 19.

The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel was achieved after 15 months of intense conflict, following negotiations mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.