The long trek home by Palestinians comes as mediators helped end twin crises over ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon.

Mediator Qatar says an agreement has been reached to release an Israeli civilian hostage and allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza.

Lebanon’s new President Joseph Aoun received an official invitation from Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Thursday to visit the Gulf country. The invitation was delivered by Qatari Ambassador Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani during a meeting with the new president, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.

Israeli army fire killed 15 people in south Lebanon on Sunday including a soldier, health officials said, as residents tried

The recent ceasefire deal to stop the war in Gaza is yet another testament to Qatar’s enduring role as a mediator of peace in conflict-stricken regions. Qatar’s name once

The Lebanese army said Sunday that Israeli fire killed one of its soldiers in the south of the country, where hundreds of residents

Israeli forces killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more in the country’s south, Lebanese officials said. Israel had agreed to withdraw its troops from the area as of Sunday.

Officials say Israel and Hamas appear to be inching closer to a phased ceasefire agreement. But a deal hasn’t been reached yet.

Israeli forces have killed 22 people in southern Lebanon and injured more than 120 as residents try to return home, Lebanese authorities say.

Lebanon has seen widespread global support after the election of a president, with Qatar inviting new head of state Aoun for a visit

Israeli forces also opened fire in Lebanon on protesters demanding their withdrawal by Sunday's deadline under a separate ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group.