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Israel kept thousands of Palestinians from returning to their homes in northern Gaza on Sunday as it accused Hamas of violating a fragile ceasefire by changing the order of hostages it has released.

Hamas freed four female Israeli soldiers yesterday in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners in the second swap under the Gaza truce & but a delay in releasing another hostage prompted Israel to halt the return of Gazans to the enclave&s bombed-out north.

Tomorrow, major events will be held all over the world to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the worst of the Nazi death camps. In Ireland, the liberation will be remembered this evening in the Mansion House, Dublin. The keynote address will be given by President Michael D Higgins. But there is a big problem; Ireland&s Jewish community does not want him to give it.