Hamas celebrates the significant return of Palestinians to northern Gaza as tensions rise with Ben-Gvir’s ‘defeat’ admission

Hamas has declared its intention to release Israeli captive Arbel Yehud and two additional female detainees by Friday, as part of the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement. The group has also disclosed details regarding the conditions of the individuals scheduled for release.

Residents of Gaza have hailed the return as a historic event, declaring it a day of triumph.

Despite the implementation of a ceasefire, displaced Palestinians remained trapped behind Israeli military barricades.

A ceasefire has been established between Israel and Hamas following a 15-month period of intense conflict in the Gaza Strip, marked by significant violence and casualties.

The initial phase of the agreement commenced on January 19, facilitating the anticipated release of over 1,890 Palestinian individuals in exchange for 33 Israeli captives. These individuals are part of the 240 persons captured by Gaza’s resistance groups in October 2023.

The detainees were apprehended during the pivotal Operation al-Aqsa Flood, an event symbolizing a counteraction against the regime’s prolonged, Western-supported occupation and hostilities towards Palestinians.

The subsequent conflict resulted in the deaths of at least 47,306 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children.

The government consented to a ceasefire after failing to achieve its wartime goals, which included facilitating the return of hostages, dismantling the resistance in Gaza, and prompting the mass displacement of Gaza’s population to Egypt.

On Sunday, Hamas criticized the Israeli government for postponing the execution of the ceasefire agreement after Israeli military forces reportedly killed and injured Palestinians attempting to return to the northern region.

The regime announced earlier that Palestinians would be allowed to return to the north starting Monday, following confirmation from Gaza’s Islamic Jihad resistance movement that Israeli captive Arbel Yehud is set to be released prior to the next planned captive and prisoner exchange.

Qatar, acting as a mediator in ceasefire negotiations between Tel Aviv and Hamas with the collaboration of Egypt, announced that Hamas has consented to release Yehud and two additional individuals by Friday. Furthermore, Qatar disclosed details regarding the conditions of those to be liberated in the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement’s implementation.

**Hamas Declares Triumph**

In an official statement, the movement characterized the repatriation of displaced individuals as a “victory” for Palestinians and a setback for Israeli forces.

In a significant development, hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals are making their way back to northern Gaza. This region, previously reduced to ruins due to actions attributed to Zionist forces, is witnessing a large-scale return of its residents, according to reports from the group.

The report characterized the Israeli government’s requirement for linking the return of the displaced individuals to the release of Yehud as an international maneuver by Tel Aviv aimed at undermining the prospects for Palestinian joy in Gaza.

In a recent statement, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement declared that the resilience of the Palestinian people will dismantle any Zionist aspirations to dim their spirits and will overcome the oppression imposed by prison guards and occupiers.

**Ex-Israeli Minister Expresses Outrage Over Political Comeback**

A former extremist minister in Israel has voiced strong discontent regarding a recent political resurgence. The ex-official, known for their hardline views, has publicly condemned the return, describing it as deeply troubling. The situation has sparked significant political discussion within the country, as various factions react to the potential implications of this development.

Former Israeli minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, criticized the return, characterizing it as a triumph for Hamas.

In a statement posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, a commentator expressed strong criticism regarding recent developments in Gaza. Describing the opening of the Netzarim highway and the mass movement of tens of thousands of Gazans into the northern Gaza Strip as symbols of Hamas’ triumph, the statement labeled the situation as part of a dishonorable and reckless agreement. According to the commentator, this scenario exemplifies total capitulation, rather than the “complete victory” that was claimed.

An official stated that the Israeli soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Gaza Strip did not do so in vain, underscoring the need to return to conflict and achieve ultimate victory.