In a significant development, over 500,000 displaced Palestinians have made their way back to northern Gaza within the last 72 hours, according to the Hamas-run media office.
\"More than half a million displaced Palestinians have returned in the past 72 hours from the southern and central governorates to Gaza and northern governorates via Al-Rashid and Salah Al-Din roads,\" the media office reported.
This mass return follows Israel's decision to allow displaced individuals to move to the northern parts of the Gaza Strip on Monday, a move made possible by a ceasefire agreement with Hamas that effectively paused 15 months of intense fighting.
The conflict, which has resulted in a devastating toll on both sides, saw Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announcing plans to release three Israeli detainees on Thursday. In response, Israeli public radio confirmed that Israel would free 110 Palestinian prisoners as part of the exchange.
Gaza's health authorities have reported a grim increase in casualties, with hospitals receiving 63 bodies in the past 24 hours alone. This number includes 59 individuals recovered from rubble, two who succumbed to injuries, and two new fatalities. The overall death toll since October 7, 2023, now stands at 47,417, with 111,571 injured, according to the authorities.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
