American security contractors are stepping in to help manage the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, as part of a new cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. Their main job? Checking vehicles for weapons as families head back to their homes in the war-torn region.

The contractors will focus on the Netzarim corridor, a crucial area dividing Gaza, where they’ll screen vehicles carrying Palestinians from the south. This move comes as Israeli troops prepare to partially withdraw, allowing people to return north under the terms of a 42-day truce that began last Sunday. The cease-fire was brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S.

Earlier in the conflict, Israel ordered a mass evacuation of northern Gaza, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee south. For months, Israeli forces have patrolled the corridor to block Palestinians from returning. But under the new agreement, Gazans traveling on foot can go back without inspection, while vehicles will be checked starting this Saturday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that armed fighters won’t be allowed back into northern Gaza. The cease-fire aims to balance Israel’s security concerns with Hamas’s demands for troop withdrawal.

This development marks a significant step in the fragile truce, offering hope for displaced families while addressing ongoing security challenges.