Over 500,000 Displaced Palestinians Return to Northern Gaza Amid Ceasefire
More than half a million displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza in the past 72 hours, according to the Hamas-run media office. The mass movement marks a significant shift following months of intense conflict in the region.
\"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 on Wednesday.
The return of residents was made possible after Israel began allowing displaced people to return to the north of the Gaza Strip on Monday. This development came in the wake of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas that paused 15 months of fighting.
In a reciprocal gesture amid ongoing negotiations, 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.
Despite the ceasefire, the humanitarian situation remains dire. 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. These figures bring the total death toll since October 7, 2023, to 47,417, with 111,571 injured, according to official sources.
The international community continues to watch closely as both sides navigate the fragile ceasefire and work towards a more sustained peace.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
