Palestinians, who were displaced to the southern part of Gaza at Israel's order during the war, make their way along a road as they return to the north, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in the central Gaza Strip, October 11, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas)

According to local sources, about 800,000 Palestinians — roughly 80% of Gaza City’s population — had left the city following Israeli military warnings. Residents began returning to Gaza City and northern areas on Friday afternoon, after Israel completed its first troop withdrawal under a ceasefire deal with Hamas.

The release of the hostages from Gaza is expected to begin on Monday morning, Hamas and Israeli officials said over the weekend, though some uncertainty remains regarding the timing. The International Committee of the Red Cross, responsible for handling hostages from Hamas to transfer to Israel, is currently holding discussions with all parties involved.

Hamas's political bureau member Hossam Badran said the second phase of negotiations in Egypt requires a more complex discussion, and it is not as easy as the first phase.