MEZIESBLOG

Mediators are currently making progress on the issue of allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return back to the north.

Up until now, the Israeli tanks are still blocking the coastal road where people were supposed to walk into the north, and we heard some warning gunfire in the last hour or so from the area.

But it seems that the mediators – the Qataris and Egyptians who have been in constant negotiations with the Israelis and Hamas – have achieved something relating to the issue.

The Israelis have asked the mediators for proof of life from Hamas for the civilian hostage Arbel Yehud, and it seems that Hamas has given this to the Egyptians.

This is what makes Egypt hopeful that the Israelis will allow hundreds of thousands of people to return back to the north.

Things are developing very fast. We just heard in the last 10 minutes that there is some progress but we don’t know yet the exact time for people to return.

Since very early in the morning, hundreds, maybe thousands of people were queuing on this coastal road.

We understand that there is a Qatari and Egyptian technical team that has been in Gaza since yesterday and they are setting up two scanners to allow up to 4,000 cars everyday to cross from the south to the north.

Now, everyone is waiting for one word from the Israelis that it’s approved for them to move, then the process will start.

It is going to be a very complicated process because Israel wants to make sure that no militants or military equipment are being allowed back to the north.

These have been very frustrating hours for the people who have been waiting day after day for this, so it might be good news for them that they can start to move north very soon.

Hostages released today in ‘stable condition’, hospital confirms

The director of Beilinson Hospital, where the four released Israeli hostages were taken earlier today, has just held a press briefing.

Dr Lena Koren Feldman says that, following an initial medical assessment, the four women have been found to be in “a stable condition”, adding that the hospital will provide them with all the necessary medical care and emotional support.

“We’ll continue to support them in comprehensive, medical and emotional evaluation,” the director says.

She adds that it is a privilege for the hospital to play a role in the recovery process, describing it as “actually a part of the healing process of the entire Israeli people”.