Thousands of displaced Palestinians have begun walking north through Gaza after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect, ending six months of relentless bombardment and humanitarian catastrophe.
Under the US-brokered deal, Hamas will release 20 Israeli hostages next week in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving long sentences and 1,700 detained during the war.
Israeli troops pulled back from Khan Younis, Nuseirat and eastern Gaza as part of the agreement’s first phase.
Footage shows families pushing carts and bicycles piled with belongings through rubble-strewn streets, many returning to find their neighbourhoods flattened.
Gaza officials say more than 90 per cent of homes have been damaged or destroyed and famine remains widespread.
The truce is expected to open all five crossings from Israel, allowing up to 600 aid trucks into the enclave each day, though aid agencies warn that’s far below what’s needed to stabilise the crisis.
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