Palestinians Stream Back to Northern Gaza on Foot After Hostage-Release Breakthrough

Tens of thousands of Palestinians began returning to a ravaged northern Gaza and what was left of their homes and families, after Hamas agreed to release more hostages than expected this week to keep its cease-fire with Israel in place.

Israel allowed displaced Gazans to begin crossing a military zone that bisects the enclave on Monday after Israeli forces refused their movement over the weekend, when the return of Palestinians was expected under the terms of the cease-fire deal. Israel had said it wouldn’t allow Gazans to move north after Hamas didn’t release a civilian hostage on Saturday, something that was agreed upon as part of the deal, according to an Israeli official.