Over the past 72 hours, more than half a million displaced Palestinians have returned to the northern Gaza Strip, according to a statement released by the Hamas-run media office on Wednesday. The mass movement marks a significant development in the region following a ceasefire agreement that has paused 15 months of intense 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 northern Gaza on Monday, subsequent to a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The truce has temporarily halted over a year of hostilities, providing a window for families to return to their homes.
In a related development, Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced plans to release three Israeli detainees on Thursday. Israeli public radio reported that Israel would free 110 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
Meanwhile, Gaza's health authorities said hospitals received 63 bodies in the past 24 hours, including 59 recovered from rubble, two who died from injuries, and two new fatalities. This brings the total death toll since October 7, 2023, to 47,417, with 111,571 individuals injured, according to the authorities.
The return of displaced residents to northern Gaza and the exchange of detainees signal a potential easing of tensions in the region. However, the humanitarian situation remains critical, with significant casualties reported and infrastructure devastated by the prolonged conflict.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
