Tens of thousands of displaced Gazans have begun returning to their homes in the north of the enclave after Hamas agreed to release a female Israeli hostage. 

Long lines of people were filmed walking northwards on the coastal road as vehicles loaded with supplies and belongings began moving along the central Salah al-Din highway. 

Israel first opened the coastal route for those travelling on foot at 5am local time, before vehicles were allowed to begin moving on the central road at 7am. 

The routes were opened after Israel confirmed last night that Arbel Yehoud and two other hostages would be freed by Hamas on Thursday after days of intense negotiations. 

Palestinians had been scheduled to be allowed to travel north on Saturday, but this was delayed after Israel accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire deal by freeing four female IDF soldiers before Ms Yehoud, a civilian. 

Itamar Ben-Gvir, a hardline Israeli politician who this month resigned from the Cabinet over the ceasefire deal, said allowing Palestinians to move north was a “complete surrender” to Hamas. 

He added: “We must return to war - and destroy!”