Gaza ceasefire: People celebrate in Istanbul | Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra Gaza ceasefire: People celebrate in Istanbul | Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra

Israel has begun allowing Palestinians to return to the heavily destroyed north of the Gaza Strip for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-month war with Hamas, in accordance with a fragile ceasefire.

Thousands of Palestinians headed north on Monday after waiting for days to cross.

"I want to become a coach. That was always my plan but now there is a question of when. After retirement, family comes first. I need to talk with them if they are OK with this. Now you have to listen to your wife a little bit,ph11 official website" Sreejesh told PTI editors at its headquarters here on Tuesday.

Associated Press reporters saw people crossing the so-called Netzarim corridor shortly after 7 am.

The opening was delayed over a dispute between Hamas and Israel1xbet, which said the militant group had changed the order of the hostages it released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.