200,000 Palestinians return to northern Gaza

Displaced Palestinians have begun to return to their homes in cities in northern Gaza and to Gaza City as per the ceasefire agreement following the release of more Israeli captives. 200,000 Gazans entered the north in the first 2 hours of Israel opening the checkpoint, according to a Gaza security official. Palestinians in the north headed towards the Israeli barrier in an effort to greet family members from whom they have been separated for months.

Some 200,000 Palestinians returned to northern Gaza this morning, after Israel removed a road block preventing their entry to the besieged area.

Thousands moved on foot toward northern Gaza through the coastal Al-Rasheed Street as of 7am local time (05:00 GMT). Cars transporting Palestinians north were allowed to begin travel at 9am along Salah Al-Din Street.

Palestinian social media activists uploaded footage of people chanting and celebrating while returning to their areas.

Israel violated the terms of the ceasefire by stopping Palestinians from returning to the north yesterday.

Palestinians in northern Gaza headed south towards the Israeli road block in an effort to greet their returning family members, many of whom they had not seen in months.

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