Huge crowds wait to return to northern Gaza after delays

A senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad official told the BBC that an agreement had been reached to release Israeli hostage Erbil Yehud that would allow people to return to northern Gaza, after a dispute over her release caused a delay.

The source said that she will be released on Friday in exchange for the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners serving long-term and life sentences.

The agreement would pave the way for thousands to go to northern Gaza on Sunday night or Monday morning.

Israel has not yet confirmed whether an agreement has been reached.

Saturday Hamas Four Israeli female soldiers released Hostage since October 7, 2023 in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners. Ms. Yehud, a civilian, was scheduled to be released first.

Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement and said it would continue to close the road to northern Gaza because it had not been released.

Thousands of displaced Palestinians trying to reach northern Gaza gathered at the military checkpoint, which impeded their progress.

The pictures showed huge crowds waiting to pass through the Netzarim Corridor, a road separating northern and southern Gaza and controlled by Israeli forces.

Nermin Musabih, 42 years old, traveled from Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, but was displaced from her home in Shujaiya in the south.

“We are sleeping on the streets,” she told the BBC at the checkpoint.

“We cannot go home, and every time we try to go home they shoot us.”

Diab Al-Shahbari said on Sunday that she had been at the checkpoint since 20:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Saturday.

“We slept here,” he said. “The children were screaming all night because of the cold. We made a fire and covered them.”

He wants to return to Jabalia to see his children and bury the dead.

“I expect to see devastation,” he said.

“People say that with the level of destruction, there are no landmarks left. I want to see it with my own eyes.”

There were some chaotic scenes on Saturday evening, as Palestinians who had expected to be able to march north after completing the hostage release found the road still blocked by Israeli tanks.

As crowds gathered along Al-Rashid Road in the central Gaza Strip to return to their homes, shots were reportedly fired.

In one video posted online, which BBC Verify confirmed was filmed on this road, people can be seen terrified and four gunshots can be heard.

In a separate incident, Reuters reported, citing the Hamas-run Ministry of Health and Palestinian media, that one person was killed and others were injured.

The Israeli army said that forces in central Gaza opened fire after “identifying several gatherings of dozens of suspects who pose a threat to the forces.”

The statement continued: “Contrary to the reports that appeared in recent hours, all shooting operations in the area were carried out for the purpose of distancing and not for the purpose of harm. We confirm that, up to this point, no injuries to the suspects have been reported.” “It happened as a result of the shooting.”

Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, Palestinians were to be allowed to travel north of the Netzarim Corridor, a seven-kilometre-long strip of land controlled by Israel that separates northern Gaza from the rest of the Strip.

Qatari and Egyptian mediators, who facilitated talks between Israel and Hamas, have made progress in their efforts to allow hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to the north.

Israel asked the mediators for proof from Hamas that Ms. Yehud was alive, and it appeared to have been provided to the Egyptians by Saturday evening, the BBC has learned.

At the same time, many Gazans were anxiously watching any breakthrough that might allow them to return.

For many, the hope of return outweighs the reality of what awaits them: devastation and destruction.

However, the dream of reclaiming their lives, rebuilding their homes and reuniting with their families keeps their spirits alive.