Deal Reached To Free Six More Hostages on Thursday

 Palestinians begin return to north Gaza as deal reached to free six hostages

Image source,Reuters

Image caption,

Palestinians make their way back to northern Gaza

Palestinians have begun returning to the north of Gaza after Israel said a deal had been reached for Hamas to release six hostages this week.

The hostages include Arbel Yehud - the civilian at the centre of a row.

Hamas released four soldiers on Saturday, but not Ms Yehud. Israel accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire deal under which Israeli civilians were to be freed first in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Since the ceasefire deal came into force, seven hostages and just under 300 prisoners have been released.

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Footage showed thousands of displaced Palestinians walking northwards having gathered at a military barrier blocking their progress two days earlier.

The ceasefire and hostage and prisoner release deal came into force on 19 January. Two exchanges have been completed.

In the third, Hamas will release Ms Yehud and two other hostages on Thursday, followed by three more on Saturday, Netanyahu and Qatar, which has mediated the talks, said.

Israel will begin to allow Palestinians to move north on Monday, as well as freeing more Palestinian prisoners later in the week.

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