MIDDLE-EAST WAR: Israel allowed hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to the devastated areas of northern Gaza on Monday, January 27, 2025 after Hamas agreed to a special round of hostage releases. This step helped ease a tense stand-off that had put a fragile ceasefire at risk.

Videos on Television and social media captured the sight of 1000s of civilians crossing an Israeli-controlled checkpoint dividing northern and southern Gaza for several months.

The return was delayed after Hamas, in January-26 exchange, released a soldier instead of a civilian hostage, breaching the terms of the initial ceasefire deal implemented a week ago. In response, Israel delayed withdrawing from the key Netzarim corridor, effectively blocking access to northern Gaza.

International mediators stepped in to save the truce after clashes involving Israeli forces and civilians in Lebanon on Sunday.

Hostage Deal Updates

According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, a new agreement mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt includes Hamas releasing 3 more hostages on January 23, one of whom is Arbel Yehud. On January 25, Hamas had released four female soldiers instead of Yehud, believed to be the last living female civilian hostage in Gaza.

As part of the deal, Israel freed approximately 200 Palestinian prisoners. Saturday’s (January 25) scheduled hostage release will proceed as planned, with 3 more  Israelis expected to be freed. Hamas has also provided Israel with a list detailing the status of the remaining hostages.

Clashes and Casualties

At the Netzarim corridor, tensions escalated when thousands of Palestinians gathered over the weekend. Gaza health officials reported two deaths and nine injuries after Israeli forces fired warning shots at groups they deemed a threat.

Regional Reactions and Ceasefire Extension

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested relocating most of Gaza’s population to Egypt and Jordan, a proposal rejected by both nations. Arab states have consistently opposed any forced displacement of Gaza’s over two million residents.

Meanwhile, the U.S-brokered ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese group Hizbollah has been extended till February 18. This truce halted over a year of conflict initiated by Hizbollah in solidarity with Hamas following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. During the attack, 1,200 people were killed, and 250 taken hostage. Israel’s military response has resulted in over 47,000 deaths in Gaza and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Israel has postponed its withdrawal from southern Lebanon, citing slow deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in vacated areas. Lebanon accused Israel of violating the agreement with airstrikes and demolitions in civilian areas. On Sunday, Israeli forces killed 22 people, including six women and a Lebanese soldier, during protests in southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s foreign ministry condemned Israel’s actions, stating they targeted civilians attempting to return to their villages under the ceasefire terms.