Thousands of displaced Palestinians started making their way toward northern Gaza on the morning of Monday, Jan. 27, after the Israeli military allowed people to return to the area for the first time since the beginning of the war. Footage shows crowds of people walking up al-Rashid Street, a coastal road that extends from Gaza’s southern border in Rafah to its northern border near Beit Lahia. (Credit: Abubaker Abed via Storyful)

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told people on foot to travel via al-Rashid Street from 7 am, while those in vehicles were instructed to travel via Salah al-Din Street, which opened at 9 am.

According to Wafa news agency, which is operated by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, thousands of people spent the past two nights on al-Rashid Street and Salah al-Din Street, waiting for permission to return.

A Gaza security official told AFP that more than 200,000 displaced people returned on foot in the first two hours.

Palestinians were allowed to return after Israeli authorities reached a deal with Hamas over disputed hostage releases, the Times of Israel reported. Hamas confirmed that three Israeli hostages would be released on Thursday and another three on Saturday.

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