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Return of Gazans to north on hold

Israel accuses Hamas of breaking truce deal

Thousands of displaced Palestinians are still being prevented from returning to their homes in northern Gaza after Israel accused Hamas of breaching the terms of a ceasefire deal.

On Saturday, Hamas freed four Israeli female soldiers it had held hostage since 7 October 2023, in return for 200 Palestinian prisoners.

However, a dispute broke out when Israeli civilian Arbel Yehud was not included in the swap, even though Hamas was scheduled to free more non-military hostages.

While Hamas insisted Ms Yehud is alive and will be freed next week, Israel reacted by delaying the planned withdrawal of some troops from Gaza, which would have allowed Palestinians to return to homes in the north.

There were some chaotic scenes on Saturday evening as Palestinians who had expected to be able to walk north following the completion of the hostage release found the road was still blocked by Israeli tanks.

As crowds gathered along al-Rashid road in central Gaza to return home, gunshots were reportedly fired.

In one video posted online, which BBC Verify has confirmed was filmed on that road, people could be seen panicking and four gunshots could be heard.

In a separate incident, Reuters news agency, citing the Hamas-run health ministry, and Palestinian media reported one person was killed and others injured.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops in central Gaza had fired shots after "several gatherings of dozens of suspects were identified who posed a threat to the forces".

A statement continued: "Contrary to reports emerging in recent hours, all of the shooting in the area was carried out for the purpose of distancing and not aimed at harm. We emphasise that as of this stage, no injuries to the suspects are known to have occurred as a result of the shooting."

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Earlier on Saturday, Muhammad Emad Al-Din was one of the thousands waiting to return home to northern Gaza.

"I know my house might be destroyed, but I'll pitch a tent over its remains. I just want to go back," he told the BBC over the phone.

"I need to reclaim my work. I am a barber in Gaza and I've been trying to figure out how to repair the damage to my salon and restart my business. I've become indebted to so many people and I can't afford to buy the simplest things for my children," he added.

"All I wish for is for this dispute between Hamas and Israel to end and for us to be allowed to move back to our homes in the north. We haven't seen our loved ones for more than 15 months."

Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, Palestinians had been scheduled to be allowed to travel north of the Netzarim Corridor, a seven kilometre (4.3 miles) strip of land controlled by Israel that cuts off north Gaza from the rest of the territory.

Lubna Nassar, carrying her two daughters and son on a donkey cart, was hoping to return to her home and reunite with her husband, Sultan, whom she has not seen in 11 months.

Speaking on Saturday afternoon, she said: "I will stay here, as close as possible to the Israeli checkpoint. For months, my daughters have been waiting for the moment to meet their father. I want to be among the first to return to Gaza."

 

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