Large crowds of Gaza residents began their journey north this morning, with thousands more currently making their way through newly opened routes along the Netzarim corridor. The mass movement comes as part of the latest hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, which will see the release of Agam Berger and Arbel Yehud, along with one other captive on Thursday.
A second phase of the agreement is set for Saturday, when three male hostages are expected to be freed.
Despite warnings from the IDF's Arabic spokesperson against moving weapons or armed personnel northward, the situation on the ground appears to be largely unsupervised. While returnees using the Salah al-Din road are required to pass through vehicle checkpoints operated by an American contractor, those traveling along the coastal al-Rashid road are able to proceed on foot without any security screening.
The IDF spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, emphasized that allowing armed individuals to pass through the corridor would constitute a violation of the agreement. He urged Gaza residents not to assist terrorist groups in weapons transfers and warned against approaching the buffer zone near the Israeli border.
In what observers describe as a propaganda effort, Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants maintained a highly visible presence during the return process. Masked fighters wearing the groups' distinctive headbands were seen greeting returning civilians, exchanging handshakes and waves. The group also erected welcome arches and hung banners on surviving buildings to mark the occasion.
Security analysts warn that the unchecked movement of potentially armed individuals into northern Gaza could undermine the military achievements secured by the IDF during intense fighting in the region, which resulted in significant casualties.
The development has drawn sharp criticism from right-wing Israeli politicians. Itamar Ben Gvir, chairman of the Otzma Yehudit party and a member of the Knesset, condemned the scenes at the Netzarim corridor. "The mass return to northern Gaza represents a victory for Hamas and yet another humiliating aspect of this reckless deal," he stated. "This is not what 'total victory' looks like - this is what total surrender looks like."
Ben Gvir added that "our heroic IDF soldiers did not fight and sacrifice themselves in Gaza to enable these scenes. We must resume the war - and destroy [Hamas]."
Photos circulating on Palestinian social media show long columns of people making their way north, with Hamas fighters visibly present at various checkpoints along the route. The images also show makeshift welcome gates erected to greet returning residents, even as much of the area's infrastructure remains in ruins from months of fighting.
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