A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas held in Gaza for a third day ahead of the expected release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Thousands of Palestinians continued to travel north towards Gaza City, the focus of Israeli attacks over the past two months, hopeful the ceasefire would bring an end to the war.
"There is a lot of joy among the people," said Abdou Abu Seada, adding that the joy was tempered by exhaustion after two years of war that has destroyed much of Gaza.
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 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 by phone after walking 15 km (9.5 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 said, describing seeing human remains scattered along roads.
Watch: Footage from drone shows extent of destruction in Gaza from Israeli attacks
An Israeli government spokesperson has said that the release of hostages held in Gaza will begin early tomorrow morning.
All 20 living hostages are expected to be released together at one time, the spokesperson added.
The Israeli prime minister's office said that Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel would be "released once Israel has confirmation that all of our hostages set to be released tomorrow are across the border into Israel".
Under the US-brokered agreement, the group will hand over 48 captives, dead and alive, in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Yesterday, Gaza's civil defence agency has said more than 500,000 people have returned to Gaza City since a ceasefire took effect.
Netanyahu calls for Israel to unite after hostage release
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged controversy over his handling of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, but called for their imminent release to be a moment of unity.
"This is an emotional evening, an evening of tears, an evening of joy, because tomorrow our children will return to our borders," the Israeli leader said, quoting a biblical verse.
"Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path - a path of rebuilding, a path of healing, and, I hope, a path of united hearts," he said, in a televised address.
Mr Netanyahu said that the country had achieved great victories in two years of war on multiple fronts, but warned the conflict was not yet over.
"Together we achieved tremendous victories, victories that amazed the whole world... But at the same time I must tell you, the fight is not over," the premier said, during a televised speech on the eve of the expected return of Israeli hostages and a US-led peace summit.
"Very large security challenges still lie before us. Some of our enemies are trying to regain their strength to attack us again - and as we say, we are on it," he added.
Yesterday, when US envoy Steve Witkoff praised Netanyahu's leadership in front of a rally called in solidarity with the relatives, some in the crowd booed.
But the Israeli leader has also come under fire from the right, including from hardline members in his own cabinet, for agreeing a prisoner exchange.
"This is a historic event that mixes sorrow over the release of murderers with joy over the return of hostages," Mr Netanyahu said.
"I know there are many disagreements among us, but on this day ... we have every reason to put them aside, because together we achieved tremendous victories," he said.
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Trump to address Knesset, chair summit in Egypt
US President Donald Trump is due to arrive in Israel tomorrow to address the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, before traveling to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt for a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war.
Mr Trump and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will chair a Gaza peace summit set to be attended by world leaders including the head of the UN.
The gathering in the Red Sea resort town will bring together "leaders from more than 20 countries", Sisi's office said.
It will seek "to end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, and usher in a new era of regional security".
The Egyptian foreign ministry said a "document ending the war in the Gaza Strip" was expected to be signed during the "historic" gathering.
The summit was aimed at inaugurating "a new chapter of peace and security... and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people" in Gaza, it said in a statement.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he would attend, as will British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, Pedro Sanchez of Spain and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will also travel to Sharm el-Sheikh, according to their offices.
The European Council will be represented by its president, Antonio Costa, a spokesperson said.
The plan for Gaza "offers a real chance to build a just and sustainable peace, and the EU is fully committed to supporting these efforts and contributing to its implementation", the spokesperson added.
Jordan's King Abdullah II is also expected to attend, according to state media.
There was no immediate word on whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would participate, while Hamas has said it will not take part.
Watch: RTÉ's deputy foreign editor Edmund Heaphy reports from Jerusalem
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Hossam Badran, a Hamas political bureau member, told AFP in an interview that the Palestinian militant group "will not be involved".
Hamas "acted principally through... Qatari and Egyptian mediators" during previous talks on Gaza, he said.
Watch: Israelis boo mention of Netanyahu as Witkoff speaks in Tel Aviv
Hamas will not govern post-war Gaza, says Hamas source
Meanwhile, a Hamas source close to the group's negotiating committee said that it will not participate in post-war Gaza governance, as world leaders prepare to converge on Egypt for a Gaza peace summit.
The source's comments come days after an Israel-Hamas ceasefire came into effect, and as both sides discuss implementing US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the war, which calls for Hamas' disarmament and for the group not to be involved in running post-war Gaza.
"For Hamas, the governance of the Gaza Strip is a closed issue. Hamas will not participate at all in the transitional phase, which means it has relinquished control of the Strip, but it remains a fundamental part of the Palestinian fabric," the source said, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
Unlike other more top-heavy militant organisations in the region, Hamas' leadership has in the past been divided on key issues, including on the future administration of Gaza.
But where there appears to be no division among top members is on the question of disarmament, which the group has long described as a red line.
"Hamas agrees to a long-term truce, and for its weapons not to be used at all during this period, except in the event of an Israeli attack on Gaza," the source said.
Another Hamas official who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive topics had earlier said that Hamas' disarmament was "out of the question".
The first clause of Mr Trump's 20-point plan calls for Gaza to become a "deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors".
The plan also states Hamas will not have a role in future governance of the Strip, and that its military infrastructure and weapons should be "destroyed and not rebuilt".
Under Trump's plan, a temporary technocratic and apolitical Palestinian committee would be charged with the day-to-day running of public services.
