Gaza, January 27, 2025: Israel has allowed thousands of Palestinians to return to the northern Gaza Strip for the first time in over a year, following a fragile ceasefire agreement. This decision comes after a two-day delay due to disputes surrounding the order of hostages being released. The return of displaced Palestinians is a significant step, as many had been living in temporary shelters since the start of the 15-month conflict with Hamas.
While the ceasefire aims to bring an end to the deadliest war between Israel and Hamas, and secure the release of hostages, negotiations for the second phase of the truce are still pending. The conflict, which began with a massive attack by Hamas on Israel, has resulted in high casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza, with the situation remaining precarious. Authorities are monitoring the fragile peace as the region remains in a delicate state.