Over half a million displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza in the past 72 hours, according to the Hamas-run media office on Wednesday.
\"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 said in a statement.
Israel began allowing displaced people to return to the north of the Gaza Strip on Monday, following a ceasefire agreement with Hamas that put a pause on 15 months of fighting.
In a gesture that may further ease tensions, Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced it would release three Israeli detainees on Thursday. Israeli public radio reported that Israel would free 110 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
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, they said.
The return of displaced Palestinians and the potential prisoner exchange signal a significant shift in the ongoing conflict, offering a glimmer of hope for stability in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
