A senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad official has informed the BBC that an agreement has been reached for the release of Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud, allowing people to return to northern Gaza. This comes after a dispute over her release caused delays.
According to the source, Yehud is set to be freed on Friday in exchange for the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners serving long-term and life sentences.
The deal is expected to enable thousands of displaced individuals to move towards northern Gaza on Sunday night or Monday morning.
Israel has yet to confirm whether the agreement has been finalized. On Saturday, Hamas released four Israeli female soldiers who had been held hostage since 7 October 2023 in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners. Yehud, a civilian, was initially supposed to be released first.
However, Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement, stating it would continue to block access to northern Gaza due to Yehud not being released as planned.
Thousands of displaced Palestinians gathered at the military barrier in an attempt to reach northern Gaza, only to find their path obstructed.
Images depicted massive crowds waiting at the Netzarim Corridor, a road dividing north and south Gaza, controlled by Israeli forces.
Nirmeen Musabeh, 42, originally from Shejaiya but displaced to Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, described her plight to the BBC at the checkpoint.
“We’re sleeping in the streets,” she said. “We can’t go home, and every time we try, they shoot at us.”
Diab Shehbari, speaking on Sunday, recounted being stuck at the checkpoint since 20:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Saturday.
“We slept here. All night, the kids were screaming because of the cold—we lit a fire and covered them,” he said. He expressed a strong desire to return to Jabalia to see his sons and bury the dead.
“I expect to see destruction,” he added. “People say the level of devastation has erased all landmarks. I need to see it with my own eyes.”
EPA Drone images captured Palestinians waiting to return to northern Gaza from the southern Gaza Strip along Rashid Road, west of the Nuseirat refugee camp, on 26 January.
Gazan Return After Ceasefire (Photo: AP)As displaced Palestinians gathered on al-Rashid road in central Gaza in anticipation of returning home, chaos erupted when they discovered the road was still blocked by Israeli tanks, despite expectations that it would be open after the hostage release.
Gunfire was reported as crowds amassed along the road. In a video verified by BBC Verify, recorded at the scene, people appeared panicked as four gunshots rang out.
In a separate incident, citing the Hamas-run health ministry and Palestinian media, reported one person was killed, with others injured.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that its troops in central Gaza fired shots after detecting “several gatherings of dozens of suspects who posed a threat to the forces.”
A statement further clarified: “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 emphasize that as of this stage, no injuries to the suspects are known to have occurred as a result of the shooting.”
As per the ceasefire agreement, Palestinians were supposed to be permitted to travel north of the Netzarim Corridor, a seven-kilometer (4.3-mile) stretch of land controlled by Israel that isolates northern Gaza from the rest of the territory.
Bring Them Home Now Arbel YehudBring Them Home Now Hamas has maintained that Arbel Yehud is alive and will be released next week.
Qatari and Egyptian mediators, who have been instrumental in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, have made progress in securing arrangements for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return north.
Israel had requested Hamas to provide proof that Yehud was alive. By Saturday evening, the BBC understood that this proof had been given to Egyptian intermediaries.
Meanwhile, many Gazans anxiously awaited news of a breakthrough that could enable their return.
For many, the hope of going back home outweighed the grim reality awaiting them—ruined neighborhoods and widespread devastation.
Nevertheless, the dream of restoring their lives, rebuilding their homes, and reuniting with loved ones continues to sustain their resilience.