Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza are crossing the so-called Netzarim Corridor and returning home to their loved ones in the north of the Strip for the first time since Israel’s war on the enclave began.
Israel’s military says Palestinians will be allowed to cross al-Rashid Street by foot starting at 7am (05:00 GMT) and Salah al-Din Street by vehicle from 9am (07:00 GMT).
This comes after Qatar announced that Hamas has agreed to release female Israeli captive Arbel Yehud and two others by Friday and provided information on the conditions of those set to be freed in the first phase of the ceasefire deal.
The US and Lebanon have announced the extension of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal until February 18 after Israeli forces failed to withdraw from southern parts of the country and killed 22 people seeking to return to their homes.
Palestinians condemn US President Donald Trump’s proposal to “clean out” Gaza by forcibly displacing its residents to Egypt and Jordan, which raised concerns of ethnic cleansing.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 47,306 Palestinians and wounded 111,483 since October 7, 2023. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day and more than 200 were taken captive.
Source: AJ
