IDF assesses tens of thousands of Gazans have returned to north, far below Hamas claim of ‘over 300,000’

The Israeli military assesses that only tens of thousands of Palestinians have returned to the northern Gaza Strip since troops withdrew from most of the Netzarim Corridor yesterday morning and authorized the opening of south-north roads.

Hamas claimed yesterday that “over 300,000 displaced” returned to the Strip’s north.

The Times of Israel has learned that according to the IDF’s assessments as of this morning, that number is far lower, estimated in the tens of thousands.

Since yesterday morning, as part of a ceasefire deal with Hamas, Gazans have been able to freely return to northern Gaza after being prevented by the IDF from doing so since the beginning of the war — when civilians were called to head for the Strip’s south to avoid combat zones.

Many of the buildings in northern Gaza have been destroyed amid the fighting, and it is unclear where civilians are supposed to reside. In southern Gaza, tent camps were constructed for displaced civilians.