In truce talks, Israel is open to civilians returning to northern Gaza.

Israel said on Sunday that it is willing to allow the return of Palestinians displaced from the northern Gaza Strip as part of peace talks, an apparent concession to a key Hamas demand.

The warring parties have intensified negotiations, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, over a six-week postponement of Israel’s offensive in exchange for the proposed release of 40 of the 130 captives held by the Palestinian fighter group in Gaza.