The occupation prevents the return to half of the neighborhoods in Rafah city and threatens Gaza residents.

Watan-The Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement continued for the ninth consecutive day, with occupation forces targeting areas near the ground incursion zone in the “Philadelphi Route” and regions close to the eastern border. Meanwhile, mediators continued efforts to implement the first phase of the truce agreement, which includes a prisoner exchange process.

The occupation forces again targeted areas and neighborhoods on the outskirts of southern Rafah city, near the “Philadelphi Route,” which separates Palestinian and Egyptian territories. The occupation forces remain stationed in the area.

Heavy machine gunfire hit Tel al-Sultan, Yibna camp, and several nearby areas, restricting residents’ movement. Additionally, naval gunboats along the city’s coast repeatedly fired at the beach area, threatening displaced people residing in the “Mawasi” Rafah area.

These attacks on neighborhoods near the route have prevented the return of displaced residents for nine months. Residents fear larger attacks in the coming days should they return, especially after recent shelling and demolition operations that destroyed several buildings and caused casualties.

Sources in the city reported that over 50% of Rafah’s residents in southern Gaza live in areas classified as “danger zones,” making it impossible for them to return as the occupation army continues its presence along the “Philadelphi Route.”

Additionally, the occupation’s machinery stationed on the eastern borders of Khan Younis attacked nearby towns and neighborhoods with heavy machine gunfire.

Two civilians were injured when an Israeli drone (“quadcopter”) dropped a bomb on a location in the Zaytoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City.

Ambulance and civil defense teams noted that many displaced residents returning to northern Gaza suffered injuries and exhaustion due to overcrowding and long distances.

In related developments, Hebrew reports stated that the Israeli army had established new military posts around Gaza alongside its withdrawal from the “Netzarim Route.” According to Israel Hayom, the aim of these posts is to “create a large security buffer zone between Israeli territory and Gaza to prevent Palestinians from approaching.”

Per the first phase of the truce agreement, the Israeli army will withdraw from urban centers and populated areas, positioning itself 700 meters inside Gaza. This distance will extend to 1,100 meters at five points along the border.

The Israeli army released a new statement with a map showing its current positions in Gaza after withdrawing from the western part of the “Netzarim Route” and repositioning along the northern and eastern borders of the Strip.

Army spokesperson Avichay Adraee posted on Facebook, outlining restrictions on the return of displaced persons to northern areas per the agreement, emphasizing a prohibition on approaching the army’s positions and deployments.

He also prohibited access to the Rafah crossing area, the “Philadelphi Route,” and all zones with troop presence in the southern part of the Strip. Moreover, he issued warnings against fishing, swimming, diving, or entering the sea along Gaza’s coastline, and against approaching Israeli territory or the buffer zone.

In a related context, mediators continue efforts to facilitate the prisoner exchange deal, set to occur in the coming days. The deal includes the release of the Israeli detainee Arbel Yehud. Israel’s delay in her release last Saturday postponed the return of displaced residents to northern Gaza for two days.

Hamas reportedly handed over to mediators the required details regarding the list of prisoners to be freed as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement and the prisoner exchange deal on Sunday night.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Hamas would release three additional detainees next Saturday, including Arbel Yehud, soldier Agam Berger, and another detainee. Israel has received a list detailing the conditions of the prisoners to be freed in the first phase.

Israeli sources confirmed the receipt of this list, which nearly aligns with intelligence estimates. Channel 12 Hebrew reported that Israeli detainees would be released on Thursday and Saturday, with Hamas’ list indicating that most Israeli prisoners to be freed in the first phase are alive.

Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy is expected to arrive in Israel next Wednesday to oversee the implementation of the deal between Israel and Hamas personally.