Israel blocks Palestinians’ return to northern Gaza amid ceasefire dispute

Israel on Sunday announced that it was halting plans to let Palestinians return to northern Gaza, accusing militant group Hamas of violating an agreement under the ceasefire deal, reported Reuters.

On Saturday, Hamas released four women Israeli soldiers who had been held as hostages in Gaza. This marked the second hostage swap under the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel that came into effect on January 19, pausing a conflict that started 15 months ago.

Soon after the deal was reached, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for three hostages held in Gaza.

“The four returning hostages – Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev – have crossed into Israeli territory with IDF [Israel Defense Forces] and ISA [Israeli Security Agency] Forces,” the Israeli government said on Saturday.

However, on Sunday, Tel Aviv said that another hostage, a female civilian named Arbel Yehud, was supposed to have been released.

An Israeli military spokesperson said Hamas not releasing Yehud was a breach of the ceasefire agreement, reported Reuters.

On its part, Hamas called it a technical issue and said mediators had been informed that Yehud was safe. The group said she would be released next Saturday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Palestinians would not be allowed to return to northern Gaza until the…

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