26.01.2025 14:20
After the ceasefire reached in Gaza after 15 months, Palestinians formed long queues to return north from the coastal strip. While the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement are in a very delicate balance, the Israeli army's failure to withdraw from the Netzarim corridor threatens the fragile ceasefire.
In the war between Israel and Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of over 47,000 Palestinians, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians formed long queues to return from the coastal strip to northern Gaza after a ceasefire was declared.
ANXIOUS WAITING CAPTURED
In the recorded footage, Palestinians forming a queue stretching for meters were seen waiting with both excitement and anxiety. However, the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement achieved through U.S. mediation is navigating a highly sensitive balance.
ISRAEL MUST WITHDRAW FROM THE NETZARIM CORRIDOR
The ceasefire, which started late under Israeli bombardment due to 'Hamas's failure to publish the list of hostages to be released' on the first day, is still facing significant obstacles. According to the agreement, Israeli forces are required to withdraw from the Netzarim corridor used by Palestinians wishing to return to their homes. However, the Israeli army stated that it would not withdraw from the corridor or allow passage until the hostage Arbel Yehud is released.
YEHUD DILEMMA
The release of Yehud, who was reported to have been kidnapped from her home with her boyfriend by a settler community, has become a red line for Israel. However, the question of who held Yehud and for what reason has become a topic of debate. Hamas stated that Yehud is "an Israeli soldier" and reported that the woman is being held by Islamic Jihad. Israel, on the other hand, denied that Yehud is a soldier.
The Israeli army emphasized that Yehud should be released in the hostage exchange that took place last Saturday, while Hamas and allied organizations stated that they wanted to keep the woman until the third phase of the ceasefire. In Lebanon, Israel, which does not comply with the requirements of the ceasefire agreements, is quite disturbed by Hamas's continued military and political influence in Gaza. For this reason, Israel is taking actions to prevent Hamas militants from celebrating and to maintain its influence in Gaza and the West Bank.