More than 500,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza in the past 72 hours, the Hamas-run media office announced on Wednesday. This significant movement follows a recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that has paused 15 months of fighting.
\"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 northern Gaza Strip on Monday, signaling a potential easing of tensions in the region. The ceasefire has provided an opportunity for families to return to their homes after months of displacement.
In a related development, Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced it would release three Israeli detainees on Thursday. Israeli public radio reported that Israel would release 110 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. This exchange could mark a significant step toward de-escalating the long-standing conflict.
Meanwhile, Gaza's health authorities reported that hospitals received 63 bodies in the past 24 hours. Among them, 59 were recovered from rubble, two succumbed to injuries, and two were new fatalities. This brings the total death toll since October 7, 2023, to 47,417, with 111,571 injured, according to the authorities.
