Massive Return of Displaced Palestinians to Gaza

Synopsis

On January 27, a large number of Palestinians began their journey back home to Gaza City after being displaced for 15 months. This is following a recent agreement between Hamas and Israel to release hostages, allowing for this significant return.

Key Takeaways

Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians are returning home.
The return follows a hostage release agreement between Hamas and Israel.
Israel has allowed return to northern Gaza as part of the deal.
Many families face the reality of destroyed neighborhoods.
Upcoming phases of hostage releases are scheduled.

Gaza, Jan 27 (NationPress) Tens of thousands of Palestinians commenced their journey back to their residences in Gaza City and the northern regions of the coastal enclave on Monday after 15 months of enforced displacement.

This return follows a declaration by Qatar on Sunday evening indicating that Hamas and Israel had achieved an agreement to release Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud along with two others by Friday.

On Saturday, Hamas is anticipated to liberate three more hostages.

As part of the agreement, Israel has granted permission for displaced residents to reenter the northern Gaza Strip starting Monday morning.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked on Monday, "Hamas has conceded and agreed to move forward with another phase of hostage releases, scheduled for next Thursday following firm and determined negotiations."

The statement detailed that this phase will encompass the release of Yehud, a soldier named Agam Berger, and an additional hostage. Furthermore, three more hostages are set to be released on Saturday as part of the arrangement.

Israel has also received a list from Hamas outlining the conditions and status of all hostages slated for release in the initial phase of the agreement.

For numerous displaced families, the return journey to northern Gaza carries a bittersweet sentiment. While there is joy at the thought of returning to familiar areas, there is also anxiety regarding the remnants of neighborhoods that have been reduced to ruins.

"We have to trek approximately 8 kilometers on foot, but we are elated that, at last, we will be able to return to our regions, even if they are entirely destroyed," stated Mohammed Hamda, a Gaza resident, as he traveled along the coastal route between Gaza City and southern Gaza, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office had indicated in a statement on Saturday that Israel will not permit Palestinian residents to return to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip for the time being.

The statement emphasized that the ban will remain in place until the release of Israeli civilian Arbel Yehud, who was scheduled to be liberated on Saturday but was not among the four Israelis set free by Hamas.

The statement highlighted that Yehud's release in the second swap of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners was part of the agreement that commenced last week.

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

The army observers, aged between 19 and 20, were abducted by Hamas from the Israeli army's surveillance base at Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023, near the Gaza Strip border.