Israel let tens of thousands of Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-month war with Hamas​, under terms of a fragile ceasefire​.

More than 300,000 Palestinians have reached northern Gaza, a day after Israel barred them from returning to their homes. Tel Aviv says Hamas' refusal to release one of six hostages as agreed in the first phase led to its decision to halt the passage of residents to the north.

Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning home to northern Gaza on Monday, bracing for what awaits them in a region that has been reduced to rubble by months of brutal bombardment and fighting.