More than 500,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza in the past 72 hours, according to the Hamas-run media office on Wednesday. This mass movement follows a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that has paused 15 months of intense conflict.
\"More than half a million displaced Palestinians have returned in the past 72 hours from the southern and central governorates to Gaza and northern governorates via Al-Rashid and Salah Al-Din roads,\" the media office stated.
Israel began allowing displaced individuals to return to the north of the Gaza Strip on Monday, signaling a potential easing of tensions in the region. The ceasefire has provided a crucial window for civilians to return to their homes after prolonged displacement.
In a related development, Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced plans to release three Israeli detainees on Thursday. Israeli public radio reported that Israel would free 110 Palestinian prisoners in exchange, indicating a possible prisoner swap that could further de-escalate hostilities.
Despite the ceasefire, Gaza's health authorities reported that hospitals received 63 bodies in the past 24 hours. Of these, 59 were recovered from rubble, two succumbed to injuries, and there were two new fatalities. This brings the total death toll since October 7, 2023, to 47,417, with 111,571 injured, highlighting the extensive human cost of the conflict.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
