Displaced Palestinians are waiting for Israel to allow them to return home

Thousands of displaced Palestinians have been prevented from returning to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip after Israel blocked a main road, accusing Hamas of violating the terms of a ceasefire deal.

The dispute comes after Hamas released four Israeli soldiers – and Israel released 200 Palestinian prisoners.

But the Israeli government has said Gazans will not be allowed to travel north until plans are in place for Israeli citizen Arbel Yehud. Hamas insisted she was alive and would be released next week.

According to the deal, Hamas had to release civilians before the soldiers.

Shots were reported to have been fired on Saturday evening as crowds gathered along al-Rashid in central Gaza to return home.

Reuters news agency, citing the Hamas Health Ministry, and Palestinian media reported that one person was killed and several wounded.

Four gunshots can be heard in a video of the reported incident, which has been posted online. BBC Verify has authenticated the location of the footage, but the BBC has not been able to independently verify reports of the victim.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops in central Gaza fired shots after “several gatherings of dozens of suspects who posed a threat to the forces.”

“Contrary to reports that have appeared in recent hours, all shootings in the area were carried out with the aim of distance and not aimed at harm. We emphasize that at this stage no injuries to the suspects are known to have occurred as A as a result of the shooting.”

Earlier on Saturday, Muhammad Emad al-Din was one of thousands waiting to return home to Northern Gaza.

“I know my house could be destroyed, but I will move the tent over her remains. I just want to go back,” he told the BBC by phone.

“I need to get my job back. I’m a hairdresser in Gaza and I’ve been trying to figure out how to repair the damage to my salon and restart my business. I owe so many people and I can’t afford to buy the simplest things for my kids.” he added.

“All I want is for this dispute between Hamas and Israel to end and for us to be allowed to return to our homes in the north. We haven’t seen our loved ones for over 15 months.”

The Netzarim Corridor is a seven-kilometer (4.3 mi) strip of land controlled by Israel that cuts off Northern Gaza from the rest of the territory.

Lubna Nassar arrived with her two daughters and son by donkey in the afternoon, hoping to return home and reunite with her husband, Sultan, whom she had not seen in 11 months.

“I will stay here, as close as possible to the Israeli checkpoint. For months, my daughters have been waiting to meet their father. I want to be one of the first to return to Gaza,” she said.

Qatari and Egyptian mediators are succeeding in efforts to allow hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to the north.

But Israeli tanks are still blocking the coastal road where people were supposed to go north.

The Israelis asked mediators for proof of life from Hamas for Ms. Yehud, and it appears Hamas gave it to the Egyptians.

On October 7, 2023, four Israeli soldiers taken hostage were released as part of a cease-fire agreement that also freed 200 Palestinian prisoners.

Meanwhile, many Gazans are anxiously watching any breakthrough that might allow them to return.

For many, the hope is to return to the reality of what awaits them – ruins and destruction.

Still, the dream of regaining their lives, rebuilding their homes and reuniting with their families keeps spirits alive.