Israel announced that Palestinians would be allowed to return to the northern Gaza Strip starting Monday following a deal with Hamas for the release of six more hostages, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

This development helps maintain a fragile ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has devastated Gaza and displaced nearly all of its residents. The agreement also sets the stage for further hostage-prisoner exchanges under a deal aimed at resolving the 15-month-long conflict.

Israel had previously blocked large numbers of Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza, accusing Hamas of breaching the truce by delaying the release of civilian hostages. However, Netanyahu’s office stated that Hamas has now agreed to release three hostages on Thursday and an additional three on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Palestinian leaders criticized a proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump to relocate Gaza’s residents, calling it a violation of their rights. Trump suggested moving Palestinians to neighboring countries like Egypt or Jordan, describing Gaza as a “demolition site.” Both Jordan and Egypt firmly rejected the idea, with Jordanian officials calling it “ethnic cleansing.”

The ongoing truce has allowed humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, but the United Nations warns that conditions remain dire. Since the conflict’s start in October 2023, the violence has caused significant casualties on both sides, with tens of thousands killed or displaced in Gaza.