Thousands of people are waiting in central parts of the Gaza Strip for the ceasefire to come into effect between Israel and Hamas.

Tens of thousands of people fled Gaza City as Israel's military began a major offensive last month.

Many of them are hoping to go back but many fear their homes have been destroyed in the last Israeli offensive on Gaza City.

“We are waiting at the checkpoint and there is no possibility to leave. We don't know until when. Our homes are destroyed and so are our shops and cars,” said Mohammad Abu Shanab, a man displaced from Gaza city.

It comes after Israel and Hamas agreed to the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a pause to the two-year war.

It was a breakthrough that was met with joy and relief, but caution on Thursday.

Uncertainty remains about aspects of the broader ceasefire plan advanced by the administration of US President Donald Trump — such as whether and how Hamas will disarm and who will govern Gaza.

The war, which began with Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, has also triggered other conflicts in the region, sparked worldwide protests and led to allegations of genocide that Israel denies.

Some 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas-led assault, and 251 were taken hostage.

In Israel’s ensuing offensive, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and nearly 170,000 wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half of the deaths were women and children.

Even with the agreement expected to be finalized later in the day, Israeli strikes continued, with explosions seen on Thursday in northern Gaza.

At least 11 dead Palestinians and another 49 who were wounded arrived at hospitals over the past 24 hours, Gaza’s Health Ministry said.

An Israeli military official who spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with military guidelines said Israel was continuing to hit targets that posed a threat to its troops as they reposition.