Meanwhile, tension in Gaza is rising over Israel’s refusal to allow Palestinians to cross over into northern Gaza over the hostage dispute. AP reported separately that a Palestinian man was killed and seven people were wounded by Israeli fire overnight, local health officials said Jan. 26, as crowds gathered in hopes of returning to the northern Gaza Strip. Under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Israel on Jan. 25 was to begin allowing Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza on foot through the so-called Netzarim Corridor bisecting the Gaza Strip. Israel put the move on hold until Hamas freed a hostage whom Israel said was supposed to have been released that day.