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Tens of thousands of Palestinians are waiting at the nearest point to the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza, waiting for the Israeli forces to let them enter so they can return to their homes in the north.

The area, under Israeli control since November 2023, divides northern Gaza from the rest of the Strip.  

Videos posted online show crowds of people waiting, spanning meters.

Hamas has accused Israel of delaying their entry, with Israel saying it would not open up the coastal road and allow the displaced to return until Israeli captive Arbel Yehud is released.

Israel accused Hamas of violating the deal by not releasing Yehud, which was reportedly meant to happen in the second captive-prisoner swap that saw four Israeli soldiers released.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that as the captive is a civilian woman, Yehud was meant to be released under the ceasefire deal.

Hamas said it is holding Israel “fully responsible” for delaying the entry, with the group saying it has informed the mediators that Yehud is alive.

An Islamic Jihad official told reporters that Yehud would be released before the next round of captive releases on Saturday in exchange for 30 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences, after mediators reportedly reached an agreement for her release.

The first phase of the deal would see Israel allow displaced Palestinians to cross the corridor to enter the north, with Hamas saying this would happen on Saturday.

Israeli forces killed one Palestinian man and injured others while opening fire at civilians waiting to enter the region.

Amid the ceasefire in Gaza, thousands of Palestinians are preparing to return to their homes in the north after fleeing Israeli bombardment.

Many Palestinians who returned to the north on Tuesday were unable to recognise the place they once called home, with neighbourhoods in ruins and houses completely destroyed.

Since October 2023, Israel has launched several invasions of northern Gaza, where it attempted to expel residents to the south. Its latest assault, lasting for 100 days, killed at least 5,000 Palestinians.

Over 47,306 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in Gaza since October 2023. Israel’s offensive has left 1.93 million Palestinians, 85 percent of Gaza’s population, displaced, living in camps and tents as their homes were destroyed.