Displaced Gaza residents begin to return home as Israel opens corridor to northern enclave
New Delhi, Jan 27: Thousands of Palestinians are returning to northern Gaza after Israel and Hamas reached a deal to release six hostages this week.
The Palestinians had been waiting to cross the Netzarim Corridor, a road controlled by Israel, since Saturday. Large crowds gathered at the corridor, hoping to return to their homes.
Israel allowed people to walk through the corridor from 7:00 am local time and let cars pass from 9:00 am. More than half a million people have been waiting to go back north to see what remains of their homes after heavy bombing. Many are carrying their belongings, but much of the area is in ruins.
The delay in returning was caused by a disagreement over an Israeli hostage, 28-year-old Arbel Yehud. She was taken from her home in southern Israel during the October 7 attacks and is believed to be held by the Islamic Jihad group in Gaza. Yehud was supposed to be released last Saturday, but instead, Hamas freed four Israeli soldiers. In response, Israel stopped Palestinians from crossing the corridor.
Now, Hamas has provided proof that Yehud is alive, and she is expected to be handed over to the Red Cross on Thursday, along with two other hostages. Another three hostages are expected to be released on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Israel’s military has warned that militants or weapons cannot be transported through the corridor, saying it would violate the agreement.