The Israel Defense Forces are reportedly considering a path for residents of settlements located four kilometers or more from the Gaza Strip to begin returning to their homes in the coming days, according to Yediot Ahronot.
Nonetheless, the newspaper cautioned that the plan has not yet received formal approval from the military leadership.
Earlier, Blood Radio conveyed that officials had pledged to authorize a program allowing citizens to return to homes within four kilometers of the Gaza border. Areas closest to the border remain designated as restricted military zones.
The regional tension intensified after Hamas militants breached Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip on October 7, marking the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is at war.
Israel’s stated objectives in countering Operation Iron Sword included repelling the assault, securing the release of more than 200 hostages, including foreigners, and dismantling Hamas. To support these aims, Israel conducted extensive rocket strikes on the Gaza Strip from the operation’s outset. Concurrently, the National Security Council ordered the suspension of water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel supplies to the territory. Humanitarian aid shipments began moving toward Gaza through the Rafah crossing only after October 20, and their volume was reported as insufficient.
On October 27, Israel announced the expansion of its ground operation in Gaza. While the exact start date of the ground phase remains uncertain, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians reportedly fled their homes and sought shelter in southern areas of the region prior to the escalation. By November 5, as the ground operation continued, IDF forces had encircled Gaza City and cut off supplies, with fighting persisting in central Gaza.
Lebanese Hezbollah publicly proclaimed October 18 as a day of wrath against Israel.