Trump-Gaza latest: Palestinians return to flattened homes ahead of Israeli hostage release in fragile ceasefire
Palestinians have begun returning to the ruins of their homes in northern Gaza, in the second day of a fragile ceasefire which will see 20 living Israeli hostages released.
Thousands snaked along the coastal road north to Gaza City, hoping to return home for a final time after repeated displacements during nearly two years of Israeli war on the territory.
Images from the ground show long columns of people walking north towards Gaza City, carrying bundles, blankets and children – the few belongings they managed to salvage.
‘Phase one’ of the ceasefire, which came into effect on Friday morning , has brought a fragile calm to the war-ravaged strip,
Hamas has until 12:00 local time (10:00 BST) Monday to release all remaining Israeli hostages, while Israel is set to free hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
An Israeli official told The Independent’s chief international correspondent Bel Trew that the handover could begin as early as Sunday, with hostages being brought into Israel via multiple crossings.
A Hamas official also expressed gratitude to Trump but warned that Tony Blair would not be welcome in a post-war Gaza.
