More than 500,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza in the past 72 hours, according to the Hamas-run media office. The massive return follows a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas 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 on Wednesday.
The movement marks a significant shift in the ongoing crisis, as Israel began allowing displaced individuals to return to the northern regions of the Gaza Strip on Monday. The ceasefire has offered a glimmer of hope for many families yearning to rebuild their lives after prolonged conflict.
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, in exchange, would free 110 Palestinian prisoners, signaling potential progress in diplomatic efforts.
Despite these signs of de-escalation, the human toll remains heavy. 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 additional fatalities. Since October 7, 2023, the death toll has reached 47,417, with 111,571 individuals injured, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on the civilian population.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
