‘The war is not over’: Israel blocks Palestinians’ return to northern Gaza: Analysis

Israel has announced that displaced Palestinians will not be allowed to return to the northern Gaza Strip as they try to go back to their homes during the four-day truce brokered by Qatar. Despite warnings from the Israeli army that the north is a combat zone, videos obtained by Al Jazeera show Palestinians returning to their homes in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip. Israel dropped leaflets over southern Gaza, telling displaced Palestinians not to return north, but hundreds of people could still be seen walking north. Witnesses reported that seven people were wounded by Israeli forces during their attempt to reach the northern Gaza Strip. Two people were shot and killed, and 11 others were wounded in the legs. An Israeli military spokesperson stated that the movement of the population from south to north would not be allowed and urged people to obey warnings for their safety. Many Palestinians no longer have homes after seven weeks of Israeli bombardment and ground invasions. Palestinians have mixed feelings about the truce, as some have nowhere to go back to, while others hope to search for their missing loved ones. The war is expected to resume in a matter of days, which is a disappointment for many Palestinians. The death toll in Gaza is more than 14,800, while in Israel, it is about 1,200.

Source: Aljazeera news: ‘The war is not over’: Israel blocks Palestinians’ return to northern Gaza