Palestinians returning to eastern Netzarim Corridor after IDF withdrawal

Palestinians are seen returning to the eastern portion of the Netzarim Corridor in the central Gaza Strip after the IDF withdrew from the area overnight as part of the ceasefire-hostage deal with Hamas.

The IDF has not yet commented on the withdrawal, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

Israeli forces withdrew from their positions in the western portion of the Netzarim Corridor nearly two weeks ago, as Israel allowed displaced Gazans to return to the Strip’s north on foot via the coastal road and by vehicles on the Salah a-Din road.

The IDF maintained some posts on the eastern side of Salah a-Din road, closer to the border with Israel.

Per the outline of the agreement, on day 21 of the ceasefire, Israel must withdraw from the entire corridor that bisects the Strip and only maintain a presence in a buffer zone of up to around one kilometer inside Gaza.

Israeli forces are still deployed to the Philadelphi Corridor, the Egypt-Gaza border area. Under the deal, on day 50 of the ceasefire, Israel will need to complete its withdrawal from Philadelphi.

By Khagan Isayev