US Contractors to Aid Return of Displaced Palestinians to Gaza Under Cease-Fire

American security contractors are being enlisted to facilitate the safe return of displaced Palestinians to their homes in northern Gaza following an intense evacuation. With the cease-fire initiated by mediators, the contractors will inspect vehicles amid ongoing military conditions set by Israel.

American security contractors will begin overseeing the return of displaced Palestinians to the northern Gaza Strip as part of a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. This return marks a significant step after more than a month of conflict that forced many families to flee south. As part of the agreement, these contractors will focus on securing the Netzarim corridor—a critical route dividing northern and southern Gaza—by screening vehicles for potential weapons as they transport people back home.

With a fragile truce reaching its fifth day, facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized that no armed fighters will be permitted to return to northern Gaza. Negotiators worked to balance Israel’s security needs with Hamas's conditions. Under the terms of this cease-fire, while those traveling on foot can return without undergoing an inspection, vehicles headed north will be scrutinized by these U.S. contractors starting Saturday, ensuring compliance with security protocols aimed at preventing violence from reigniting. The historical backdrop of the recent conflict has complicated these procedures, with Israeli soldiers maintaining patrols to control the movement of displaced Gazans over the past months.