Overview
- Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians have started returning to the northern Gaza Strip following a breakthrough in negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
- The agreement includes the release of six Israeli hostages by Hamas, with three to be freed on Thursday and three more on Saturday.
- The ceasefire, which has been in place for two weeks, is part of a six-week initial phase aimed at facilitating prisoner exchanges and ending the 15-month-long conflict.
- The return of displaced Palestinians comes as international criticism mounts over U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion to relocate Gaza's population to Egypt or Jordan, a proposal widely condemned as ethnic cleansing.
- In a separate development, the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended until February 18, despite ongoing tensions and reported violations by Israeli forces.