Israel to Release Hostages as Gaza Residents Return North

Six hostages will be released by Hamas this week, including Arbel Yehud, coinciding with Israel's announcement to allow displaced Gazans to return north starting Monday. This comes after a series of exchanges involving hostages and Palestinian prisoners since a ceasefire agreement was established on January 19.

In a significant development, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Hamas will release six hostages this week, including Arbel Yehud, who has been at the center of a contentious standoff that delayed the return of displaced Gazans to northern territories. The release is set to occur following a prior release of four soldiers by Hamas over the weekend, though it has drawn Israeli accusations of breaking the terms of the ceasefire agreement, which stipulates the priority release of Israeli civilians in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

The ceasefire, which came into effect on January 19, has facilitated the release of seven hostages and over 200 Palestinian prisoners, highlighting the ongoing negotiations and complexities involved. The Netzarim Corridor, which separates northern and southern Gaza and is currently controlled by Israeli forces, has seen thousands of displaced Palestinians gathering for two days, as they seek access to their homes in the north.

According to statements from both Netanyahu and Qatar, which has been mediating the talks, the third phase of the deal will involve the release of Yehud and two other hostages on Friday, followed by the release of three additional hostages on Saturday. In tandem with this, Israel is set to allow Palestinians to begin moving north as of Monday and plans to release more Palestinian prisoners later in the week, marking a significant shift in the humanitarian landscape of the region.