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Hamas to release three more hostages; Israel to allow Palestinians to return to north

The deal eases the first major crisis of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

A child sits on a truck loaded with belongings

Thousands of Palestinians are waiting to return home to the northern part of the Gaza Strip. Source: AP / Abdel Kareem Hana

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed Hamas will release three hostages and says Palestinians will be allowed to return to northern Gaza.

Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli civilian Arbel Yehud, soldier Agam Berger and another hostage will be released by Hamas.

He also said in a post on X that Israel will allow displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza starting Monday morning.

Mediator Qatar confirmed the deal, which eases the first major crisis of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Qatar's statement early on Monday says Hamas will hand over Yehud, along with two other hostages before Friday. And on Monday, Israeli authorities will allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza.

Under the ceasefire, Israel was to start allowing Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza on Saturday.

But Israel put that on hold because of Yehud, who Israel said should have been released on Saturday. Hamas accused Israel of violating the agreement.

Thousands of Palestinians have gathered to wait to move north.


1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP, Reuters



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