Qatar says an agreement has been reached to release an Israeli civilian hostage and allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Saturday that displaced Palestinians would not be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza until the civilian hostage Arbel Yehoud was released by Hamas.

Hamas will release Israeli hostages, including Arbel Yehud, before Friday, as declared by mediator Qatar. In exchange, Israel will allow residents of northern Gaza to return home starting Monday. This deal comes after a 15-month Israeli offensive that displaced over 650,

Under the terms of the agreement, a ceasefire will go into effect on January 19, temporarily halting military operations in Gaza - Click on the link for more.

Qatar’s prime minister on Wednesday announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, pausing the devastating 15-month war in Gaza and clearing the way for dozens of Israeli hostages to go home.

Palestinian militant group Hamas will hand over female Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud and two other hostages before Friday, mediator Qatar said on Sunday, and Israel said it would allow residents of the northern Gaza Strip to go back home early on Monday.

An agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas that involves the release of additional hostages and the return of Palestinians to the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

Thousands of people moved on foot towards northern Gaza through the coastal Al-Rashid street as of 7am local time (0500 GMT).

Palestinians return to bombed-out northern Gaza as more Israeli hostages to be freed - Agreement is reached agreement to release Israeli civilian hostage Arbel Yehoud and allow Palestinians to return