Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians continued on Sunday, for the third consecutive day, to return to Gaza City and other areas in the northern and southern Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, a network of civil organizations confirmed that 1.5 million Palestinians have lost their homes, noting approximately 60 million tons of rubble scattered across Gaza.

Israel announced that the release of hostages held in Gaza will begin early Monday morning. Hamas confirmed its readiness to release the hostages but insisted on the release of seven prominent Palestinian leaders as part of the anticipated exchange, indicating that negotiations over the list of names are still unresolved.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant threatened to destroy all Hamas tunnels in Gaza, while humanitarian aid trucks began entering the Strip through the Rafah crossing.

According to the Palestinian News and Information Agency WAFA, displaced persons continued walking along Al-Rashid and Salah al-Din streets for at least seven kilometers on foot, many with no homes to return to.

Amjad Al-Shawa, director of the civil organizations network in Gaza, said that between 300,000 and 400,000 Palestinians have recently managed to return to their areas in Gaza City and the northern Strip following the ceasefire agreement coming into effect.

Al-Shawa explained that about 1.5 million Palestinians lost their homes during two years and two days of the Israeli extermination war on Gaza, describing the humanitarian disaster caused by the aggression as unprecedented in modern history.

He added that estimates indicate around 60 million tons of rubble scattered throughout the Strip, with more than 80% of homes destroyed, making reconstruction one of the biggest challenges Gaza will face in the coming phase.

On the other hand, an Israeli government spokesperson said on Sunday that the release of hostages held in Gaza will begin Monday morning. It is expected that all 20 living hostages will be released at once.

The spokesperson added that Israel will start releasing Palestinian detainees once it receives confirmation that all hostages held in Gaza have arrived on its territory.

Meanwhile, Hamas insisted that the list of detainees to be released by Israel under the ceasefire agreement includes seven prominent Palestinian leaders, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

Meanwhile, clashes erupted between the security forces of the Gaza Interior Ministry and a militia cooperating with Israel. Sources reported the killing of the son of Hamas leader Basem Naeem by gunfire from the Daghmash family in Gaza City. Journalist Saleh Al-Jaafrawi was also killed by outlaw gangs in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City.

The Gaza Interior and National Security Ministry announced the opening of a general amnesty and repentance for gang members not involved in murder crimes to settle their legal and security status.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that the army will destroy all Hamas tunnels in Gaza after the release of the hostages. He said, “Israel’s big challenge after the hostage recovery phase will be destroying all Hamas tunnels in Gaza.” He added, “I have ordered the army to prepare for this mission.”

Humanitarian aid trucks and fuel tankers began entering Gaza through the Rafah crossing on Sunday as part of the first phase of the ceasefire and settlement agreement between Israel and Hamas. Palestinian media reported that 90 trucks crossed from the Egyptian side during the first hour, preparing to distribute aid to affected residents.