Even before the first phase is completed, the fragile cease-fire agreement that has paused 15 months of war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas faces increasingly long odds of lasting or even reaching phase two.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians are streaming into the most heavily destroyed part of the Gaza Strip after Israel lifted its closure of the north for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-m

The opening was delayed for two days over a dispute between Hamas and Israel, which said the militant group had changed the order of the hostages it released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Masses of displaced Palestinians began streaming towards the north of the war-battered Gaza Strip on Monday after Israel and Hamas said they had reached a deal for the release of another six hostages.

Hamas apparently does not insist on retaining control over the Gaza Strip and would not accept any power other than its own in the coastal strip,

The scale of destruction in the northern Gaza strip could be seen from southern Israel on Saturday morning as Israel and Hamas are expected to swap more hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

The opening was delayed over a dispute between Hamas and Israel, which said the militant group had changed the order of the hostages it released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Long lines of Palestinians -- some kneeling to kiss the soil as they stepped into the northern part of the strip -- were making their way home on Monday.

An unending stream of people marched up the coast of Gaza on Monday, carrying their belongings in plastic bags and repurposed flour sacks through the central city of Nuseirat after Israel reopened access to the territory's north.

US president's bombshell proposal to 'clean out' Gaza and encourage Arab states to take in its populace could keep Smotrich's party in the coalition, perhaps prompt Ben Gvir's return