Huge crowds await return to north Gaza after delays

An agreement to release Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud has been reached that would allow people to return to north Gaza, a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad official has told the BBC, after a dispute over her release caused a delay.

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

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

Israel has not yet confirmed if a deal has been reached.

On Saturday, Hamas freed four Israeli female soldiers held hostage since 7 October 2023 in return for 200 Palestinian prisoners. Ms Yehud, a civilian, was set to b…

Israel accused Hamas of breaching its ceasefire agreement and said it would continue to block the route to northern Gaza because she was not released.

Thousands of displaced Palestinians attempting to reach northern Gaza gathered at the military barrier blocking their progress.

Images showed massive crowds waiting to pass the Netzarim Corridor, a road which separates north and south Gaza and is controlled by Israeli troops.

Nirmeen Musabeh, 42, travelled from Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, but was displaced from her home in Shejaiya, in the south.

“We’re sleeping in the streets,” she told the BBC at the checkpoint.

“We can’t go home and every time we try to go home they shoot at us.”

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

“We slept here. All night the kids were screaming because of the cold – we lit a fire and covered them,” he said.

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

“I expect to see destruction,” he said.

“People are saying that with the level of destruction, there are no landmarks remaining. I want to see this with my own eyes.”