Israeli Defense Forces have fully withdrawn from the Netzarim corridor in the Gaza Strip, a key east-west road dividing the territory's north and south, according to a Hamas Interior Ministry source. The withdrawal, which was expected following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, allows for the free movement of vehicles in both directions.
The withdrawal comes a day after a fifth exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel. The move allows Palestinians who were displaced during the conflict to return to the northeastern part of the territory.
While Israeli forces had partially withdrawn from the corridor nearly two weeks ago, they maintained some positions on the eastern side of the road. They will now only be stationed in the Philadelphi corridor along the border with Egypt and the 500-700 meter buffer zone separating Gaza from Israel.
Families were seen returning to northern Gaza on Sunday morning, crossing the Netzarim corridor where no structures remain standing and the roads are heavily damaged. No Israeli tanks or equipment remain in the region, and all checkpoints that Palestinians had to pass through when they were expelled from northern Gaza have been dismantled.
Indirect talks with mediators (US, Qatar, and Egypt) about the second phase of the agreement, which would see the release of the remaining living hostages, were scheduled to begin on Monday, the 16th day since the ceasefire came into effect. However, these talks have not yet commenced, according to Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas' political bureau.