Hamas will not participate in the official signing of the Gaza peace deal in Egypt, according to a senior leader. The decision stems from disagreements with aspects of Donald Trump’s plan, leaving the future of the agreement uncertain. Hossam Badran, a member of Hamas's political bureau, criticized the proposal for Hamas members to leave the Gaza Strip, calling it "absurd" and "nonsense." He expressed concerns that negotiations for the next phase of the plan would be challenging due to its complexities.

In the meantime, thousands of Palestinians have begun returning to their homes along Gaza’s coast. Many are making the journey on foot, by car, and using carts, as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appears to be holding. This movement follows the first phase of a US-brokered agreement that led to the withdrawal of Israeli troops after a conflict that has resulted in significant loss of life and destruction in the region. The ongoing situation remains delicate as the peace process continues to unfold.