By Richard Thompson

Thousands of displaced Palestinians have been prevented from returning to their homes in the north of the Gaza Strip, after Israel blocked a main road, accusing Hamas of breaching the terms of the ceasefire deal.

The dispute came after Hamas released four Israeli female soldiers - and Israel freed 200 Palestinian prisoners.

But the Israeli government said Gazans would not be allowed to travel north until plans were in place for the release of Israeli civilian Arbel Yehud. Hamas has insisted that she is alive and will be freed next week.

According to the deal, Hamas was to release civilians before soldiers.

On Saturday evening, as crowds gathered along al-Rashid road in central Gaza to return home, gunshots were reportedly fired.

Reuters news agency, citing the Hamas-run health ministry, and Palestinian media reported one person had been killed and some injured.

Four gunshots can be heard in a video reportedly of the incident that was posted online. BBC Verify has authenticated the location of footage, but the BBC has not been able to independently verify reports of a casualty.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops in central Gaza had fired shots after "several gatherings of dozens of suspects were identified who posed a threat to the forces".

"Contrary to reports emerging in recent hours, all of the shooting in the area was carried out for the purpose of distancing and not aimed at harm. We emphasise that as of this stage, no injuries to the suspects are known to have occurred as a result of the shooting."

Earlier on Saturday, Muhammad Emad Al-Din was one of the thousands waiting to return home to northern Gaza.

"I know my house might be destroyed, but I'll pitch a tent over its remains. I just want to go back," he told the BBC over the phone.

"I need to reclaim my work. I am a barber in Gaza, and I've been trying to figure out how to repair the damage to my salon and restart my business. I've become indebted to so many people, and I can't afford to buy the simplest things for my children," he added.

"All I wish for is for this dispute between Hamas and Israel to end and for us to be allowed to move back to our homes in the north. We haven't seen our loved ones for more than 15 months."

The Netzarim Corridor is a seven-kilometre (4.3-mile) strip of land controlled by Israel that cuts off north Gaza from the rest of the territory.

Lubna Nassar arrived with her two daughters and son on a donkey cart in the afternoon, hoping to return to her home and reunite with her husband, Sultan, whom she has not seen in 11 months.

"I will stay here, as close as possible to the Israeli checkpoint. For months, my daughters have been waiting for the moment to meet their father. I want to be among the first to return to Gaza," she said.

Qatari and Egyptian mediators are making progress in their efforts to allow hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return back to the north.

But Israeli tanks are still blocking the coastal road where people were supposed to walk into the north.

The Israelis have asked the mediators for proof of life from Hamas for Ms Yehud, and it seems that Hamas has given this to the Egyptians.

Four female Israeli soldiers taken hostage by Hamas on 7 October 2023 were released on Saturday as part of the ceasefire agreement which also saw 200 Palestinian prisoners freed.

Meanwhile, many Gazans watch anxiously for any breakthrough that could allow them to return.

For many, the hope of returning outweighs the reality of what awaits them - ruins and destruction.

Yet the dream of reclaiming their lives, rebuilding their homes and reuniting with their families are keeping their spirits alive.

By Richard Thompson

People have been urged to stay at home under what has been described as 'exceptional circumstances' by STV meteorologist Sean Batty.

Storm Eowyn is to batter Scotland with winds of up to 100mph.

The Met Office issued the most severe possible red alert for Friday, forecasting “flying debris resulting in danger to life” along with two amber and yellow warnings.

People have been urged to stay indoors and not to travel under what has been described as “exceptional circumstances” by STV meteorologist Sean Batty.

Storm Eowyn is the fifth named storm of the season after Storm Darragh brought strong winds and snow to parts of the UK in December.

Forecasters warned that flying debris, large waves, and beach debris thrown onto seafronts, coastal roads, and properties could cause injuries and danger to life.

No trains or ferries will run in Scotland on Friday and the public have been urged not to drive on roads unless absolutely necessary.

When will Storm Eowyn hit Scotland?

A Met Office yellow warning for wind comes into force at midnight on Thursday as Storm Eowyn hits Scotland. The alert remains in force until midnight on Friday.

A yellow Met Office snow warning comes into force at 6am on Friday covering the north of Scotland and running until midnight. An amber wind warning also starts at 6am covering the whole country and lasting until 9pm.

The Met Office red warning for wind comes into force at 10am and runs until 5pm. A second amber warning for wind starts at 1pm and runs until 6am on Saturday.

Sean Batty said the peak of the storm is expected to hit during daylight hours when people are likely to be out and about.

“Storms like this can bring down trees onto roads and railway lines with little warning, and falling debris from buildings poses a serious hazard. For these reasons, staying at home during such periods is much safer,” he said.

Additional amber and yellow warnings are in place covering the whole of Scotland, the first of which comes into place on Friday at midnight.

The warnings are set to continue into the weekend with a yellow warning coming into place at midnight on Saturday and expiring at 3pm. Where in Scotland will Storm Eowyn hit hardest?

Strong winds are expected to affect the whole of Scotland, but the hardest-hit areas are the central and southern parts of the country, where the red warning is in place.

The warning covers Stirling, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, Aberdeenshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Fife, the Highlands, Tayside, Strathclyde, the Scottish Borders and parts of the Lothians.