Tens of Thousands Stranded as Israel Blocks Gaza Crossings, Residents Wait To Return
Tens of thousands of Palestinians waited at roadblocks in central Gaza on Sunday, frustrated by Israel’s refusal to open checkpoints allowing displaced residents to return to northern Gaza. Israel cited Hamas’ failure to fulfill key elements of a ceasefire agreement, including providing a detailed list of hostages’ statuses and releasing civilian hostage Arbel Yehud, as the reason for the delay.
Witnesses described massive crowds of people, some in vehicles overloaded with belongings, others on foot, lining the Salahuddin Road and coastal routes leading north. Many had spent the night sleeping outdoors, determined to return home despite uncertainty about whether their homes still stood after 15 months of conflict.
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The Israeli military reported firing warning shots to prevent people from approaching checkpoints. However, Al-Awda Hospital officials said one person was killed and 15 others injured in the incident.
The agreement, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and backed by the US, included provisions for northern Gaza residents to return. However, Israel accused Hamas of breaching the deal and stated that crossings would remain closed until compliance was achieved. Mediation efforts are ongoing, with reports suggesting progress toward securing Yehud’s release before the next planned exchange on Saturday.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to arrive in Israel on Wednesday to oversee the ceasefire. Trump recently called on Egypt and Jordan to accept more Palestinian refugees and authorized the delivery of powerful bombs to Israel, moves that have intensified global scrutiny of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza
