Thousands of Palestinians Return to Northern Gaza As US-Brokered Ceasefire Comes Into Effect

Tens of thousands of Palestinians headed back to the heavily destroyed northern Gaza Strip, as a US-brokered ceasefire came into effect in a deal that raised hopes for ending the Israel-Hamas war.
 
US envoy Steve Witkoff said Israeli troops have finished withdrawing from parts of Gaza, starting a 72-hour countdown forthe  Palestinian armed group Hamas to release all remaining Israeli hostages. Israeli officials say 48 hostages are still in Gaza, including 20 who are believed to be alive. Hamas will release all of the remaining hostages by Monday. 
 
The agreement also allows unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip. According to the UN official, the United Nations has given the green light by Israel to begin delivering scaled-up aid into Gaza. As part of the deal outlined by Mr. Trump, Israel will also release dozens of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of the Israeli hostages.