Israeli troops have withdrawn from the Netzarim Corridor, a military area that “divides” northern Gaza from the south.
Hundreds of Palestinians in cars and carts loaded with mattresses and other goods began returning to northern Gaza after the withdrawal.
The Israeli pullback is in accordance with the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas on January 19, under which 16 Israeli hostages and 566 Palestinian prisoners have been released so far.
By the end of the first phase of the ceasefire, after three weeks, it is expected that 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners will have been released. Israel claims that eight of the 33 hostages are deceased.
Hamas captured 251 hostages and killed around 1,200 people when it attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering the war in Gaza.
At least 48,189 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas. Around two-thirds of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli attacks, says the UN.
