Israel blocks over 600,000 Palestinians from reaching northern Gaza

Tens of thousands of Palestinians are blocked on the road by Israeli forces, waiting to return to their homes in northern Gaza.

Ismail al-Thawabta, director general of Gaza's government media office, said there were "between 615,000 and 650,000" people waiting to go past the Israeli military positions in the Netzarim Corridor, which runs through the centre of the Gaza Strip.

In central Gaza, columns of people were waiting along the main roads leading north, some in vehicles and others on foot. Photos showed cars and trucks loaded with mattresses and tents that were used to shelter families for over a year in the central and southern areas of Gaza.

Many people spent the night sleeping on Salah al-Din Road, the main thoroughfare running from north to south, as well as on the coastal road heading north.