In a significant development, more than 500,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza over the past 72 hours, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Hamas-run media office.
\"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 announced.
The mass return follows Israel's decision to allow displaced individuals back into the northern Gaza Strip on Monday, marking a notable easing of tensions after a ceasefire agreement with Hamas that brought a halt to 15 months of fighting.
In a related development, Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, declared that it plans to release three Israeli detainees on Thursday. Israeli public radio reported that Israel, in exchange, would free 110 Palestinian prisoners.
Meanwhile, Gaza's health authorities reported that hospitals have received 63 bodies in the past 24 hours. This includes 59 bodies recovered from rubble, two individuals who succumbed to injuries, and two new fatalities. These latest figures bring the total death toll since October 7, 2023, to 47,417, with 111,571 people injured, according to the authorities.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical, with efforts ongoing to address the needs of the returning population and rebuild infrastructure damaged during the prolonged conflict.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
