Six hostages will be released and the Gazans will be allowed north

Hamas will release six hostages this week and Israel will allow Gazans to return to homes in the north from Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says.

The hostages include Arbel Yehud, the civilian at the center of a dispute that has led to Israel delaying Gazani’s return to northern Gaza.

Hamas released four soldiers on Saturday, but not Ms. Yehud. Israel has accused Hamas of violating a cease-fire deal in which Israeli civilians must be released first in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Since the ceasefire deal took effect, seven hostages and more than 200 prisoners have been released.

Thousands of displaced Palestinians trying to reach northern Gaza have gathered at a military barrier blocking their progress for two days.

The cease-fire and hostage and prisoner deal went into effect on January 19. Two exchanges completed.

Third, Hamas will release Ms. Yehud and two other hostages on Friday, followed by three more on Saturday, said Netanyahu and Qatar, which brokered the talks.

Israel will begin allowing Palestinians to move north on Monday, as well as release more Palestinian prisoners later in the week.

Under the terms of the cease-fire agreement, Palestinians were slated to be allowed to travel north of the Nezarim Corridor, a seven-kilometer (4.3-mile) strip controlled by Israel that cuts off northern Gaza from the rest of the territory, in saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday saturday on Saturday, on Saturday, on Saturday, on Saturday, on Saturday, on Saturday, on Saturday, on Saturday .

Images show massive crowds waiting to cross.

Qatari and Egyptian mediators, who have facilitated talks between Israel and Hamas, have been involved in efforts to resolve the row over Ms Yehud. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman announced the breakthrough moments to Israel’s prime minister.

Israel had asked the mediators for proof from Hamas that Ms. Yehud was alive. This appears to have been given to the Egyptians as early as Saturday night, the BBC understands.

A cease-fire deal in January halted the war, which began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. About 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken back to Gaza as hostages.

More than 47,200 Palestinians, the majority civilians, have been killed in Israel’s offensive, Gaza’s health ministry says.