An Israeli army Merkava battle tank patrols the Netzarim Corridor as Palestinians make the journey to cross the militarised zone to return to their homes in the north and south of Gaza on January 27 [Eyad Baba/AFP]

  • Israeli troops are withdrawing from the militarised zone of the Netzarim Corridor, which cuts the Gaza Strip into two, and will complete their pullout by Sunday morning, Israeli media reports.
  • This comes after Israel and Hamas completed their fifth exchange, with three Israeli captives released for 183 Palestinian prisoners.