Hamas will release three more hostages and Israel will allow residents of northern Gaza to return

Qatar's foreign ministry said Sunday that Hamas will hand over Israeli female hostage Arbel Yehud and two others by Friday. In return, Israel will allow residents of the northern Gaza Strip to return to their homes starting Monday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Sunday that Hamas would release civilian Ahmed Yehud, soldier Agam Berger and another hostage.

He said on social media platform X that Israel would allow displaced Gazan families to return to their homes in northern Gaza starting Monday morning.

"The Prime Minister reiterated that Israel will not tolerate any violation of the agreement. We will continue to take action to bring all the hostages home."

Israel has previously accused Hamas of violating the truce, saying it has not given detailed documents on which hostages awaiting release are still alive or handed over Yehud, a civilian who was taken from his kibbutz home on Oct. 7, 2023. According to the agreement, civilian hostages should be released first.

Hamas said Monday it had given mediators the information it needed on the Israeli hostages released during the first phase of the cease-fire.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been waiting at roadblocks for two days, hoping to return to their homes in northern Gaza.

The Israeli military issued a statement telling Gaza residents they would be allowed to return by foot at 0500 GMT (1pm Singapore time) via the coastal road and by bus at 0700 GMT via the eastern Salahudeen Road.

The Israeli military warned them not to approach Israeli army positions.

"The transfer of militants or weapons to the northern Gaza Strip through the aforementioned routes will be considered a violation of the agreement." Do not cooperate with any terrorist organization that may try to use you to transfer weapons or prohibited materials."