Gaza ceasefire: Israel blocks Palestinians’ return to north despite completion of second captive-prisoner swap

BY

Amr Mohamed Kandil

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Sat, 25 Jan 2025 - 04:34 GMT

BY

Amr Mohamed Kandil

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 - 04:34 GMT

Four Israeli female captives, soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag wave at a Palestinian crowd as Qassam brigades hand them over to the Red Cross, 25 January 2025 – Hamas’ Telegram

Four Israeli female captives, soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag wave at a Palestinian crowd as Qassam brigades hand them over to the Red Cross, 25 January 2025 – Hamas’ Telegram

CAIRO – 25 January 2025: Israel has prevented the return of Palestinians internally displaced by the war in Gaza to their homes in the north, reportedly opening fire on civilians and killing one.

Tel Aviv was set to allow the return of internally displaced individuals to the north without inspection through Rashid Street today, which marks day 7 of the ceasefire.

According to the Palestinian official state-run news agency WAFA, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian and injured several others, including a child, as people attempted to return from the southern and central Gaza Strip to the north via Salah Al-Din Street.

Israel stated on Saturday that it would not permit the return of displaced Palestinians to the north until the release of 29-year-old civilian female captive Arbel Yehud is arranged.

The Israeli military claims that Hamas has failed to adhere to the agreement as it stipulates the release of civilian females first.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced, “Israel will not allow the passage of Gazans to the northern part of the Gaza Strip until the release of civilian Arbel Yehud, who was supposed to be released today, is arranged.”

Hamas sources reportedly informed mediators that Yehud is alive and in good condition and will be released next Saturday.

On Telegram, Hamas accused Israel of delaying the implementation of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement by continuing to close Rashid Street and preventing the return of displaced individuals from the south to the north.

“We hold the occupation responsible for any disruption in the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and its repercussions on the rest of the [agreement’s] points,” the movement stated.

An Egyptian official involved in the negotiations described the matter as a “minor issue” that mediators are working to resolve, according to the Associated Press.

Hamas and Israel successfully completed their second captive-prisoner swap on Saturday, exchanging four female Israeli soldiers for 200 Palestinian prisoners.

The released captives are 20-year-olds Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy, as well as 19-year-old Liri Albag.

Among the released Palestinians are 121 individuals serving life sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis.

Seventy of the released prisoners were expelled to Egypt, with some possibly relocating to other countries.

Israel has stated that Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis will not be allowed to return to their homes in the West Bank or Gaza.

The ceasefire, which took effect on 19 January, has halted a war that has claimed the lives of over 47,000 Palestinians, injured more than 111,000, and displaced most of the population since October 2023.

Egypt, Qatar, and the United States brokered the agreement after more than a year of mediation.

On the first day of the ceasefire, Hamas and Israel exchanged three Israeli captives—24-year-old Romi Gonen, 28-year-old Emily Damari, and 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher—for 90 Palestinian prisoners.

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