Gazans begin returning north despite delay in ceasefire

The ceasefire was meant to go into effect on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time but was delayed due to Hamas's failure to provide the list of names of the three hostages to be released on the same day.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF JANUARY 19, 2025 09:03 Updated: JANUARY 19, 2025 09:49

Palestinian terrorists celebrate despite a delay in the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas over the hostage list, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, January 19, 2025. (photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMED SALEM)

Gazans have begun making their way to northern parts of the Gaza Strip despite the fact that the ceasefire has been delayed and the IDF has not permitted the move, Al Jazeera and Israeli media reported. 

תיעוד: חזרת עקורים עזתים לאזור ג'באליה@sapirlipkin pic.twitter.com/HYnOHu8TtW

— החדשות - N12 (@N12News) January 19, 2025

The ceasefire was meant to go into effect on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time but was delayed due to Hamas's failure to provide the list of names of the three hostages meant to be released on the same day.

As part of the agreement reached between Hamas and Israel, civilians were not meant to return to northern Gaza until the second phase of the deal.

Palestinians are reportedly not convinced that the ceasefire is delayed, Al Jazeera journalist Hind Khoudary reported surrounded by Palestinians in Khan Yunis preparing to travel back to northern Gaza.

Palestinians celebrate despite a delay in the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas over the hostage list, in Gaza City, January 19, 2025. (credit: Mahmoud Issa/Reuters)

Despite the delay in the Gaza ceasefire, Palestinians in Gaza are celebrating and hoping the deal will be confirmed in the coming hours. Al Jazeera's @Hind_Gaza reports from Khan Younis ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/2AdMT8jSBp

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 19, 2025

She noted that among the civilians, Hamas police officers had also been spotted. The presence of gunman flagged in Hamas gear is also revealed in Reuters photos released today in pictures claiming to be from Khan Yunis.

The Palestinians are moving toward Jabaliya and Rafah, Khoudary reported.

War against Hamas continues

The civilians migration comes as the IDF confirmed it continued to attack terrorists targets in northern and central Gaza.

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Three Palestinians were killed in eastern Gaza city by Israeli drones that opened fire in some parts east of the city, medics in the enclave told Reuters.

The Hamas-run Palestinian civil emergency service claimed that eight were killed and 25 wounded.