Israel said Palestinians could begin returning to the north of the war-battered Gaza Strip on Monday after a deal was reached with Hamas for the release of another six hostages.

The Israel-Hamas war has put back development in Gaza by 60 years and mobilising the tens of billions of dollars needed for reconstruction will be an uphill task, the United Nations said.

A cease-fire agreement between Israel and terrorist group Hamas began Sunday with the release of three Israeli hostages, in exchange for some 90 Palestinian prisoners in.

The UN secretary-general has reacted after Israel and Hamas agreed to have a ceasefire deal to halt the war in Gaza. The conflict had lasted several months.

An agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas that involves the release of additional hostages and the return of Palestinians to the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

Israel is delaying the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza following Hamas's violation of a ceasefire agreement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday night The decision came after Hamas released four female Israeli soldiers who had been held hostage for 477 days but failed to include a civilian hostage,

Israel and Hamas were expected to swap more hostages for Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, the second such exchange since a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip last weekend and another test for the deal.