Israeli forces withdraw from Netzarim Corridor, allowing return of Palestinians to northern Gaza

The Israeli troops on Sunday withdrew from the Netzarim Corridor, a militarised zone separating northern and southern Gaza, as part of its ceasefire agreement with Palestinian militant group Hamas, Al Jazeera reported.

“Israeli forces have dismantled their positions and military posts and completely withdrawn their tanks from the Netzarim Corridor on Salaheddin Road, allowing vehicles to pass freely in both directions,” an unidentified Hamas official was quoted as saying.

The corridor, located south of Gaza city, splits the Gaza Strip down the middle. It stretches from the Israel-Gaza barrier in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

Following the withdrawal, hundreds of Palestinians returned to northern Gaza, which has witnessed massive destruction.

More than 47,700 persons, including over 17,400 children, have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, when Israel launched a military offensive against Gaza.

This came after Hamas launched an incursion into southern Israel, killing 1,200 persons and taking more than 200 hostages. Israel retaliated by carrying out unprecedented air and ground strikes on Gaza. About 400 Israeli soldiers have died in the conflict.

Families returning to northern #Gaza are shocked by the scale of destruction.

UNICEF’s Tess Ingram shares the reality on the ground and the immense challenges people are facing. pic.twitter.com/IRYrN9AsNM— UNICEF MENA - يونيسف الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا (@UNICEFmena) February 9, 2025

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