As part of its commitments under the ongoing ceasefire agreement with Hamas, Israel has fully withdrawn its forces from the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza.
Israel had controlled the corridor—a six-kilometer strip extending from the Israeli border to the Mediterranean Sea—throughout its 15-month offensive in Gaza. The withdrawal of its troops began two weeks ago and was reportedly completed on Sunday.
The recent development has allowed hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return northward.
Since Israel began loosening restrictions on movement through the corridor, approximately 500,000 Palestinians have passed through, many on foot or using makeshift transportation, including donkeys.
The March of Return today: hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are finally going back home, crossing through the dismantled Netzarim corridor and heading north after more than 470 days!
This is a historic day and Israel can never break their connection to their land🇵🇸❤️ pic.twitter.com/4e1cJcGy41
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) January 27, 2025
Hamas, which celebrated the withdrawal as a victory, has since deployed police and military personnel to manage the flow of returnees.
A remarkable scene as thousands of Palestinians make their way back to northern Gaza after the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Netzarim Corridor. pic.twitter.com/WEks3pAXHQ
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) January 27, 2025
The withdrawal from Netzarim comes as Israel and Hamas continue indirect negotiations over the next phase of the ceasefire agreement, mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
As part of the deal, Israel has agreed to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages held by Hamas. So far, 16 Israeli hostages held by Hamas have been freed out of a total of 33 expected in the current phase of the agreement.
However, despite the truce, violence has continued. Hours after Israeli forces pulled out of Netzarim, Israeli troops opened fire near Nahal Oz, close to the Gaza border, killing three Palestinians, according to Palestinian officials.
The ceasefire talks face increasing uncertainty as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains hesitant to agree to a second phase of the deal, which would require a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump sparked controversy last week by suggesting that Gaza be placed under U.S. control after the war, a proposal widely criticized as an attempt at forced displacement. U.S. officials later clarified that Palestinians would be allowed to return to Gaza once it was deemed safe.
