Israel and Hamas reach pivotal agreement for Gaza return
Israel has allowed Palestinians to return to the northern Gaza Strip as part of an agreement with Hamas, reports the Associated Press.
Israel has facilitated the return of Palestinians to the northern Gaza Strip following an agreement with Hamas. This decision, according to the Associated Press, was announced on Monday.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians, who gathered on Sunday near the Netzarim corridor controlled by Israeli forces, began crossing it on Monday morning.
The return to the devastated part of the Gaza Strip was delayed by a few days due to mutual accusations of violating the truce conditions negotiated in January. Israel ordered a complete evacuation during the early days of the war with Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office noted that Hamas did not release civilian hostage Arbel Jehud on Saturday and did not provide information about the abducted individuals. Qatar, a key mediator in the conflict, announced on Monday the agreement between the parties regarding the hostage, reported AP.
What does the agreement between Hamas and Israel entail?
The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel includes the exchange of 33 hostages captured by Hamas for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. The exchange is mediated by the Red Cross. This is the first phase of the agreement, which is expected to last until early March.
The war in the Gaza Strip began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people. Over 47,000 residents of the Gaza Strip have been killed in the ongoing conflict, and the majority have been forced to flee. A humanitarian crisis prevails there.
