DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel has begun allowing Palestinians to return to the heavily destroyed north of the Gaza Strip for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-month war with Hamas, in accordance with a fragile ceasefire.
Thousands of Palestinians headed north on Monday after waiting for days to cross. Associated Press reporters saw people crossing the so-called Netzarim corridor shortly after 7 a.m.
The opening was delayed over a dispute between Hamas and Israel, which said the militant group had changed the order of the hostages it released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
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Magdy reported from Cairo and Krauss from Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
By Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy And Joseph Krauss, The Associated Press
