Gaza City: Hamas has declared that Israel's complete withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor signifies another failure for the occupying regime in achieving its declared war goals in Gaza. In a statement released on Sunday, Hamas emphasized that the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes and the ongoing prisoner exchange contradict Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claims of victory in the enclave.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the statement from Hamas came shortly after Israeli troops completed their withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor, a strategic military zone dividing northern and southern Gaza. As Israeli forces vacated their military positions along this strip of land, hundreds of displaced Palestinians began their journey back home, marking a significant moment in the ongoing conflict.

The withdrawal is a crucial part of the second phase of a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas on January 19. This agreement has already led to the release of 16 Israeli prisoners and 566 Palestinian detainees, signaling a tentative step towards de-escalation.

During the early stages of the conflict, approximately 700,000 residents of northern Gaza were compelled to flee to the south due to mass evacuation orders from the Israeli military. Many of these individuals faced additional displacements as Israeli forces advanced further into southern Gaza, while also being barred from returning to the north via the Netzarim Corridor.