Crowds of spectators gathered around vehicles carrying hostages in southern Gaza on Thursday, raising fears the captives wouldn’t be released safely.

“Gaza, with its great people and its resilience, will rise again to rebuild what the occupation has destroyed and continue on the path of steadfastness until the occupation is defeated,” Hamas said in a statement after the cease-fire.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians were jubilant to be returning home but fear what might remain of their homes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Washington next week at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, according to a statement from Netanyahu's office.

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.

During a pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas, with fragile hopes for an end to the war, relief is soon weighed down by sorrow.

Hamas confirmed the death of its military chief Mohammed Deif on Thursday. "The Al-Qassam Brigades announce (...) the martyrdom of a group of

Eight hostages held by Hamas militants are returned to Israel as Palestinian prisoner releases proceed — but can the Gaza cease-fire hold?

The cease-fire has held despite a dispute earlier this week over the sequence in which the hostages were released.

Israel delayed the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners for several hours after broadcast images showed crowds jostling and cheering in Gaza as Israeli and Thai hostages were handed over to the Red Cross earlier that day.

Steve Witkoff, the U.S.’s new Middle East envoy, has joined Israelis in Tel Aviv who have gathered to watch the hostage releases in what has become known as “Hostage Square,” according to images broadcast on Israeli television.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to move Gazans to Jordan and Egypt, if implemented, could upend any prospects of a two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The plan is “extreme,