Gaza Strip - January 27, 2025 Tens of thousands of Palestinians began returning to their homes in norther Gaza on Monday after 15 months of forced displacement. The return follows an announcement by Qatar on Sunday evening that Hamas and Israel had reached an agreement to release Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud and two others by Friday. On Saturday, Hamas is expected to release three additional hostages. Under the Israel-Hamas agreement, Israel has permitted displaced residents to return to the northern Gaza Strip starting Monday morning. Drone footage captured by China Media Group showed a long stretch of crowd resemble a huge, slow moving wave making its way up Gaza's coast, most traveling on foot and carrying what little belongings they have left on their backs. Until Monday, they had spent many months exiled in makeshift refugee camps after Israeli forces ordered large-scale evacuations. It also showed vehicles inch forward for kilometers toward neighborhoods now reduced to rubble. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated early Monday, "Hamas has conceded and agreed to proceed with an additional phase of hostage releases, scheduled for next Thursday following firm and determined negotiations." The statement outlined that this phase will involve the release of Yehud, a soldier called Agam Berger, and another hostage. Additionally, three more hostages are set to be freed on Saturday as part of the agreement. Israel has also received from Hamas a list detailing the conditions and status of all hostages to be released in the initial phase of the deal. For many displaced families, the journey back to northern Gaza is bittersweet. While there is relief at the thought of returning to familiar surroundings, there is also a deep sense of apprehension about what remains of their neighborhoods after months of intense bombardment by Israel. Shotlist: Gaza Strip - Jan 27, 2025: 1. Aerial shots of displaced Palestinians heading back home, shoreline; 2. Aerial shot of displaced Palestinians with belongings in tow heading back home; 3. Aerial shots of long lines of vehicles, displaced Palestinians on road. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]