Israeli troops have withdrawn from the Netzarim Corridor, a military zone that had divided northern and southern Gaza. Following the withdrawal, hundreds of displaced Palestinians began returning north, many using carts and vehicles loaded with their belongings. However, they were met with scenes of devastation, as homes, businesses, and infrastructure had been reduced to rubble after months of conflict. The Israeli withdrawal aligns with the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Under the ceasefire deal, Israel has already released 566 Palestinian prisoners, while Hamas has freed 16 Israeli hostages. By the end of the first phase of the agreement, 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners are expected to be released, though eight of the hostages are believed to be dead. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, taking 251 hostages and killing around 1,200 people. Since then, Israel’s military response has led to the deaths of at least 48,189 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, and has caused widespread destruction.
Palestinians returning north described the destruction as catastrophic, with homes, farms, mosques, and universities completely flattened. Many who had been displaced for over a year said they had no choice but to live in tents beside the rubble of their former homes. Some residents expressed disbelief at the extent of the devastation, while others said they could not stay in the ruins. About 700,000 Palestinians had initially fled northern Gaza following Israeli evacuation orders, but many were later forced to move multiple times as the conflict expanded into southern areas.
Despite the troop withdrawal, Israeli forces still control Gaza’s borders. Movement restrictions remain in place, with pedestrians allowed to use coastal routes and vehicles being screened for weapons. Meanwhile, Israeli officials are set to meet with Qatari mediators to discuss further phases of the ceasefire agreement. However, tensions persist as controversial proposals for Gaza’s future emerge, with regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, strongly opposing any plans for Palestinian displacement.
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