Tens of thousands of Palestinians began moving northward along Gaza’s main roads on Monday after Israel lifted roadblocks, following an agreement by Hamas to release Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud and two others.
Television broadcasts captured large crowds making their way north, with witnesses confirming the first arrivals in Gaza City early in the morning. The first crossing in central Gaza opened at 7:00 a.m. (0500 GMT), with another scheduled to open at 9:00 a.m. The news of the crossings ignited scenes of jubilation at shelters and encampments housing displaced families.
“I didn’t sleep last night. I packed everything and waited for the first light of day,” said Ghada, a mother of five. “At least we are going home. Now I can say the war is over, and I hope it stays calm,” she shared via a messaging app.
Ceasefire Agreement Facilitates Return
The ceasefire agreement initially allowed for the return of northern Gaza residents over the weekend. However, delays ensued as Israel accused Hamas of breaching the terms by withholding Yehud, a civilian hostage. Late Sunday, Qatari mediators confirmed Hamas’s commitment to release Yehud, along with soldier Agam Berger and another unidentified hostage, before Friday. In return, Israel agreed to open crossings and permit displaced residents to return home starting Monday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed the arrangement, stating, “Israel will not tolerate any violation of the agreement. We will continue to act for the return of all our hostages, both the living and the deceased.”
Hamas announced early Monday that it had provided mediators with the necessary information about the hostages slated for release.
Mass Return to Devastated Region
The ceasefire deal, brokered by Qatar and Egypt, paves the way for approximately 650,000 Palestinians in central and southern Gaza to return to their homes in the north. Many of these areas bear the scars of 15 months of relentless aerial and ground assaults by Israel. According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 47,000 Palestinians lost their lives during the offensive.
Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and saw 250 individuals taken hostage, ignited the recent escalation in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Cautious Optimism Amidst Ongoing Tensions
The Israeli military announced that residents could travel north via foot on the coastal road starting at 0500 GMT, with vehicle access through the eastern Salahudeen road commencing at 0700 GMT.
However, the military issued a stern warning: “The transfer of militants or weapons via these routes to the northern Gaza Strip will be considered a breach of the agreement. Do not cooperate with any terrorist entity that may exploit you to transfer weapons or prohibited materials.”
As displaced families embark on their return journey, hopes for a lasting peace remain tenuous, with the fragile ceasefire offering only a glimmer of respite in a conflict marked by decades of strife and tragedy.
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