The Islamic group Hamas has revealed plans to release more hostages. In response, Israel lifted its movement restrictions on Palestinians headed to northern Gaza, and residents began returning to the region.

A six-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on January 19. Hamas released seven female hostages, while Israel freed 290 Palestinian prisoners.

But the movement restrictions in Gaza remained in place, with Israel noting that the four hostages released in a second round were soldiers, not civilians.

On Monday, Hamas announced plans to release three more hostages, including one female civilian, before Friday, and another three people on Saturday.

Israel, in response, lifted its movement restrictions on displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza who want to return to the northern part of the enclave.

Footage of Nuseirat in central Gaza on Monday taken by a videographer of NHK's Gaza office shows residents walking toward their homes in the north from early morning.

Many Palestinians fled northern Gaza to the south after fighting began in October 2023.