The displaced Palestinians in the south and central Gaza were wondering on Saturday, when Israel would allow them to return to their homes in the northern part of the territory, as Israel and Hamas triggered the implementation of the cease agreement.
The office of the Israeli prime minister said Israel would prevent traffic north of Gaza until plans for the liberation of Arbel Yehud, one of the latest political women in captivity in Gaza.
Israeli officials said the deal had asked Ms Yehud to be released on Saturday. They said they thought Hamas was not holding, suggesting that occupation was not solely responsible for Hamas.
Hamas accused Israel of hesitating to implement a ceasefire agreement. The dispute was one of the most important among the parties since the ceasefire came into force a week ago.
Holdup left many Palestinians in anxious waiting state, as they had already packaged their possessions, including kitchen supplies, clothing and mattress pillows.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians look forward to returning to their homes in northern Gaza – many of which were destroyed in the Israeli bombing campaign – after long months of miserable conditions in improvised shelters, schools and homes and relatives.
Since Saturday night, neither Hamas nor the Israeli Prime Minister’s office had publicly announced plans to liberate Ms Yehud.
It was not clear exactly what Israel should take place to examine the liberation of Ms Yehud, but Hamas confirmed who hostages would be released to Israel in the past by sending lists to Israel via mediators.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas says that the Israeli army should withdraw east on the seventh day of the agreement and that displaced Palestinians could then begin to return to their homes. Although on Saturday was the seventh day of the deal, the Hamas media government agency said earlier this week that people could return on Sunday.
Avichai Adraee, the Arab spokesman for the Israeli Army, was published in social media on Saturday that he was still prohibited from approaching the corridor that connects the central gauze to the north, without specifying when it would change.
The Palestinians in Gaza expressed nervousness as they waited for a resolution.
“You’re all worried and careful,” said Ibrahim Abdulwahed, a 40-year-old, a displacement in the central city of Deir Al-Balah. He said he was optimistic that Israel and Hamas would resolve the issue.
Others said their enthusiasm for returning home was involved with fears of the disaster they would encounter after 15 months of Israeli bombing.
“My husband and I were waiting for this day with so much prediction, but I can’t help feel scared about the great disaster I will see on the return,” said Nour Qasim, 22, a displaced NUSEIRAT, Central Gaza .
