In a significant development following months of conflict, more than 500,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza in the past 72 hours, according to the media office run by Hamas. The mass movement marks a hopeful turn for families seeking to rebuild their lives after enduring prolonged instability.
\"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 on Wednesday. The reopening of these key routes has facilitated safe passage for thousands eager to return to their homes.
The returns come after Israel began allowing displaced individuals to move back to the north of the Gaza Strip on Monday. This decision follows a ceasefire agreement with Hamas that has paused 15 months of intense fighting. The ceasefire has been a critical step toward easing tensions and providing much-needed relief to civilians affected by the conflict.
In a related development, the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, announced plans to release three Israeli detainees on Thursday. Israeli public radio reported that, in exchange, Israel would release 110 Palestinian prisoners. This exchange signifies a potential easing of hostilities and a move toward dialogue between the parties.
Despite these positive signs, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Gaza's health authorities reported that hospitals received 63 bodies in the past 24 hours, including 59 recovered from rubble, two who succumbed to injuries, and two new fatalities. This brings the total death toll since October 7, 2023, to 47,417, with 111,571 individuals injured. The numbers underscore the deep scars left by the conflict on the region's populace.
The international community watches cautiously as these events unfold, hopeful that the ceasefire and prisoner exchanges might pave the way for lasting peace. For the residents of Gaza, the return to their homes is a step toward normalcy, but the road to recovery and reconciliation remains long.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
