Israeli troops have withdrawn from the Netzarim Corridor - a military zone cutting off the north of the Gaza Strip from the south. Hundreds of Palestinians in cars and on carts laden with mattresses and other goods began returning to northern Gaza following the pull-out - often to scenes of utter destruction.

Israel pulled troops and tanks out of a belt of land in the Gaza Strip after recovering three more hostages as part of a staggered ceasefire with Hamas, though prospects of a de-facto end to the war remain unclear.

The withdrawal from the Netzarim corridor removes one of Israel’s bargaining chips as it moves toward negotiating a full end to the war.

Israel pulled troops and tanks out of a swathe of land in the Gaza Strip after recovering three more hostages as part of a staggered ceasefire with Hamas, though prospects of a de-facto end to the war remain unclear.