Palestinian children celebrate their return to Northern Gaza

Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning home to northern Gaza on Monday, after 15-month-long Israeli aggression in the area.

Israel opened a corridor into the north of the Gaza Strip on Monday, 48 hours later than initially planned. It blamed the delay on Hamas, saying the militant group breached the terms of the ceasefire agreement that guaranteed people would be able to return to the north.

People were overjoyed as they started returning to their land after a long time. An adorable video of Palestinian children signing while returning to northern Gaza is winning hearts online.

Israel expected Hamas to free Arbel Yehud, a female civilian hostage, in the second round of hostage releases on Saturday.

When it didn’t, Israel delayed the opening of the Netzarim corridor that bisects the strip, refusing to let people into northern Gaza. Hamas then agreed to release more hostages, including Yehud, on Thursday and Saturday, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said Sunday.