CAIRO/JERUSALEM. The Israeli military has withdrawn from the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza, Hamas announced on Sunday, marking a significant development in the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group.
An Israeli security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the withdrawal but provided no further details. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have yet to issue an official statement regarding the move.
Hamas Celebrates ‘Victory’ as Thousands Cross Corridor
The Netzarim Corridor, a 6-kilometer stretch that once bisected Gaza from the Israeli border to the Mediterranean Sea, had been under Israeli control since the early months of the war. Its occupation had effectively cut off northern Gaza, including its largest metropolitan area, from the south.
Hamas hailed the withdrawal as a victory, with its police force swiftly deploying to manage the influx of Palestinians returning north. Reuters footage captured Israeli military vehicles retreating toward the border, while long lines of cars and pedestrians moved through the corridor.
“We are witnessing the return of our people to their lands despite the destruction left behind,” a Hamas official told local media.
Scenes of Devastation as Gazans Return
Thousands of displaced Palestinians have streamed through the corridor in recent weeks, seeking to return to their homes in the north. Many were met with harrowing scenes of devastation—flattened neighborhoods, rubble-strewn streets, and in some cases, human remains in areas previously occupied by Israeli forces.
“I came back to nothing,” said one returnee, standing before the ruins of his former home. Some Gazans, unable to rebuild, have resorted to pitching tents at the sites where their houses once stood, while others have returned to the south in search of shelter.
Ceasefire Holds Amid Ongoing Tensions
The withdrawal aligns with the terms of the ceasefire agreement, which has largely held since its implementation on January 19. However, tensions persist. On Sunday, Gazan medical sources reported that four Palestinians, including an elderly woman, were killed by Israeli gunfire in separate incidents near Khan Yunis and Gaza City.
The Israeli military stated that soldiers had fired warning shots at “several suspects” and confirmed “several hits.” However, it claimed no knowledge of the incident involving the elderly woman.
Diplomatic Efforts and U.S. Controversy
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding the next phase of the ceasefire agreement are set to resume in Qatar, with mediation from Egypt and the United States.
Meanwhile, a controversial statement by former U.S. President Donald Trump last week sparked international backlash. Trump suggested that Gaza should come under U.S. ownership and that Palestinians should be displaced until the region is cleared of unexploded ordnance and rebuilt. U.S. officials have since walked back his comments, stating that Palestinians would be allowed to return.
Hamas has maintained a strong public presence since the ceasefire, reinforcing its claim that it has not been defeated. Israel, however, remains firm in its objective to dismantle Hamas in response to the group’s October 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw over 250 hostages taken. In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, according to health officials, with the majority being women and children.
As the ceasefire talks continue, the situation in Gaza remains fragile, with the humanitarian crisis deepening and uncertainty looming over the enclave’s future.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
