Israel agrees to hostages’ release, allowing displaced Palestinians to return home to northern Gaza
Thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning to northern Gaza on Monday, January 27, 2025, following an agreement between Israel and Hamas. This marked the first time many of these families have been able to return since the early weeks of the 15-month conflict. The return, initially delayed due to Israel’s refusal to open checkpoints, was made possible after new assurances were given concerning a hostages-for-peace deal between both sides.
On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Hamas would release civilian Arbel Yehoud, along with two additional hostages, including soldier Agam Berger, on Thursday. This release is part of a broader agreement brokered under the ceasefire terms, which also includes the release of three more hostages on Saturday.
For weeks, the return of Palestinians to their homes was held in limbo, with Israel halting the opening of key checkpoints, citing Hamas’ violations of ceasefire agreements. Arbel Yehoud, a civilian female hostage, had been expected to be released earlier, sparking frustration when she wasn’t freed. However, the political dynamics shifted as Israel permitted displaced Palestinians to begin their journey home. The previous delay had left families anxiously waiting for the clearance to move, unsure of the fate of their homes.
In the midst of this development, Netanyahu’s office announced that Thursday’s hostages’ release would mark a new phase in the fragile truce. The hostages’ release will include Yehoud and two others, adding to the growing list of freed captives that Hamas has committed to releasing as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement. Notably, four Israeli female soldiers had been reunited with their families earlier, and 200 Palestinian prisoners were welcomed back as heroes in the West Bank.
For many of the returning Palestinians, this marks the first step in reclaiming their shattered lives. With the ceasefire allowing a temporary reprieve from the conflict, some displaced persons spoke of their eagerness to return, despite the uncertainty surrounding the condition of their homes. Tamer al Burai, one displaced individual, expressed his frustration and longing to return, even if it meant settling among the rubble. “Many of those people have no idea whether their houses back home are still standing. But they want to go regardless,” he said, emphasising the desire to reconnect with their roots, even amidst devastation.
The situation has drawn international attention, especially with the involvement of key mediators like Qatar, which has facilitated communication between Israel and Hamas. As part of the ongoing negotiations, Qatar’s foreign ministry announced that Israel would provide a list of 400 Palestinian detainees to be released, further intensifying the political landscape.
On the international front, U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments regarding the relocation of Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan have sparked controversy. His suggestion that both countries should accept the Palestinian refugees as a long-term solution was quickly dismissed by both nations, with strong disapproval from Arab-American communities in the U.S. His remarks, made over the weekend, called for a drastic rethinking of Gaza’s future, which many critics viewed as both insensitive and impractical.
While thousands of Palestinians have already returned to northern Gaza, their future remains uncertain. Many face the daunting task of rebuilding their homes and lives amid the ongoing geopolitical turmoil. For now, the region braces for further shifts, as the fragile peace continues to hold — with hostages’ release and displaced people returning to the north representing just the beginning of what could be a turbulent new chapter for Gaza.
