Dozens of Palestinians have been killed in clashes between Hamas terrorists and rival militia groups, hours before Israeli hostages are set to be freed from Gaza.
At least 27 people are confirmed dead amid fierce fighting involving the Al-Qassam Brigades and members of the Doghmush family near the Jordanian Field Hospital in Gaza City.
The Hamas-backed Interior Ministry said eight members of the security forces were killed in what it described as “an armed assault by a militia”.
Residents described scenes of hysteria as families fled their homes under heavy gunfire, with one witness telling the BBC: "This time people weren’t fleeing Israeli attacks... they were running from their own people."
On Sunday, Israel gave details of how they expect the remaining hostages held in Gaza to be released by Hamas ahead of an imminent deadline under the terms of a peace deal agreed by both parties last Wednesday.
Israeli government spokesman Shosh Bedrosian said they expected “20 of our living hostages” to be released “early Monday morning” to the Red Cross.
Under a ceasefire agreement, Hamas has by 12pm (10am BST) to release those taken captive on October 7, 2023, when the group launched the surprise attack on Israel that ignited a two-year war.
Ms Bedrosian said they will be taken in “six to eight” vehicles without “any sick displays by Hamas”, in a reference to ceremonies by the group.
The hostages will then be driven to forces inside Israeli-controlled parts of Gaza before they are transferred to southern Israel and reunited with their families.
In the update from Tel Aviv on Sunday, Ms Bedrosian said: “Tomorrow will be a day of reunification and excitement for some families who have waited two years to embrace their loved ones, while other families will grieve the return of their loved ones, closing a painful circle with proper and dignified burials.”
She added: “An international body which was agreed on in this plan will help locate the hostages if they are not found and released tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israelis in a televised address that the release of hostages marks a "historic event that some people did not believe would happen".
"Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path," he said. "Together we will continue to win, and with the help of God, together we will guarantee the eternity of the country and land of Israel."
Thousands of Palestinians continued to travel north towards Gaza City, the focus of Israeli attacks over the past two months, hopeful the treaty mediated by the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey would bring an end to the war.
“There is a lot of joy among the people,” said Abdou Abu Seada, adding that the happiness was tempered by exhaustion after two-years of war that has killed more than 60,000 people and destroyed much of Gaza.
US President Donald Trump is due to arrive in Israel on Monday to address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, before traveling to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt for a world leaders' summit on ending the war. Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas will also be in attendance.
Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path
Mr Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and advisor Jared Kushner addressed a rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday, which many Israelis hoped would be the final one urging the end of war.
The White House helped broker what has been described as a first-phase truce between Israel and Hamas, which will also result in the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
“For two years we (have been) waiting for this day for this moment... All of us feel happy for the family, for the hostages, that finally .. we will see them,” said demonstrator Dalia Yosef, thanking Mr Trump.
The Israel Prison Service said it had transferred some Palestinian prisoners to other facilities ahead of their expected freedom.
The Israeli Ministry of Justice has released the names of 250 Palestinians, convicted of murder and other serious crimes, who are to be released under the deal.
The list does not include senior Hamas commanders that the Islamist militant group had sought to free, or prominent figures from other factions Marwan Al Barghouti or Ahmed Saadat.
Israel is also to release 1,700 Palestinians who have been detained in Gaza since October 7, 2023 and 22 Palestinian minors, along with the bodies of 360 militants.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said that once the hostages were returned, the IDF would destroy underground tunnels in Gaza built by Hamas.
Palestinians returning to northern Gaza have described widespread devastation. Rescue workers warned there could be unexploded ordnance and bombs in the area.
Amjad Al Shawa, who heads a Palestinian organisation coordinating with aid groups, estimated that 300,000 tents were needed to temporarily house 1.5 million displaced Gazans.
“We couldn't believe the destruction we have seen,” Rami Mohammad-Ali, 37, said after walking nine miles with his son from Deir Al Balah to Gaza City. “We are joyful to return to Gaza (City) but at the same time we have bitter feelings about the destruction,” he added, describing seeing human remains scattered along roads.
