Over 500,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza in the past 72 hours, following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that ended 15 months of fighting.
The Hamas-run media office announced on Wednesday that \"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.\"
Israel began allowing displaced people to return to the north of the Gaza Strip on Monday, signaling a significant step towards easing tensions in the region.
In a related development, Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, stated that it would release three Israeli detainees on Thursday. Israeli public radio reported that Israel would free 110 Palestinian prisoners in exchange, indicating a possible prisoner swap.
Amid these developments, Gaza's health authorities reported that hospitals received 63 bodies in the past 24 hours, including 59 recovered from rubble, two who died of injuries, and two new fatalities. This brings the total death toll since October 7, 2023, to 47,417, with 111,571 injured, according to the authorities.
The return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza marks a hopeful moment for many families seeking to rebuild their lives after months of conflict. The ceasefire and potential prisoner exchange could pave the way for further negotiations and a more lasting peace in the region.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, hopeful that these positive steps will lead to sustained stability for the people of Gaza and Israel.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
