The countdown for Hamas to release the remaining Israeli hostages has begun, as tens of thousands of Palestinians returned to the heavily destroyed northern Gaza Strip as part of the ceasefire deal.
The US-brokered truce, which came into effect on Friday, has raised hopes for ending the Israel-Hamas war, with all of the remaining hostages set to be released by Monday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ended a ceasefire in March, hinted that Israel might renew its offensive if Hamas does not give up its weapons.
The US President Donald Trump said he was confident the first phase of the agreement would hold and claimed Hamas was gathering the hostages ”now”.
Around 90% of the two million population of Gaza were displaced by the fighting and have returned – mostly on foot – to find fields of rubble where their homes once stood.
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