Thousands of Palestinians are streaming back into the northern Gaza Strip on Monday after Israel lifted its closure as part of the ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas. 

Starting at 7 a.m. local time, Palestinians were allowed to cross on foot without inspection via a coastal road passing through part of a military zone bisecting the territory just south of Gaza City that Israel carved out early in the war. A checkpoint for vehicles opened later on Gaza’s main north-south highway, where traffic was backed up for around two miles. 

“The transfer of militants or weapons via these routes to the northern Gaza Strip will be considered a breach of the agreement. Do not cooperate with any terrorist entity that may try to exploit you to transfer weapons or prohibited materials,” Israel’s military warned in a statement, according to Reuters. 

Hamas is calling the return “a victory for our people, and a declaration of failure and defeat for the (Israeli) occupation and transfer plans,” according to The Associated Press. 

Displaced Palestinians return to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday. (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Hamas in turn accused Israel of violating the agreement by not opening the crossing. 

The gulf nation of Qatar, a key mediator with Hamas, then announced early Monday that an agreement had been reached to release Yehoud along with two other hostages. 

Hamas also handed over a list of information about the hostages to be released in the ceasefire’s six-week first phase. 

Palestinians are seen Monday walking along a road to northern Gaza. (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Under that phase, Hamas is to free a total of 33 hostages in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. So far under the truce, the terrorist organization has released seven hostages in exchange for more than 300 prisoners. Shiri Bibas and her children Ariel and Kfir were expected to be released over the weekend, but that did not happen. Shiri’s husband, Yarden Bibas, is also among the hostages.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.