Chicago February 9, 2025
Israeli troops are pulling out of the Netzarim Corridor, a militarized zone that divides the Gaza Strip, with the withdrawal expected to be complete by Sunday morning. This move comes after Israel and Hamas completed their fifth prisoner exchange, where three Israeli captives were released in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners.
The released Palestinian prisoners were greeted with cheers and tears as they returned home. However, at least seven of them were taken to the hospital for treatment due to poor health conditions. The prisoner exchange is part of a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza.
The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life, with at least 48,181 people killed and 111,638 injured in Gaza, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry. In Israel, at least 1,139 people were killed during the October 7, 2023 attacks.