By April Lanux

The development of greater long-range strike capability for Ukraine came another step forward with a meeting of Ukrainians and Swedes in Kyiv.

The meeting was on Thursday between teams led by, Serhiy Boev, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defense for European Integration, and Johan Axelsson, Director of Sweden’s Technical Systems Testing and Evaluation Department FMV – and it was to finalize details of a proposed collaboration on defense projects.

This followed on from a November meeting between the Swedish Minister of Defense, Pål Jonson, and his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, at Stockholm’s Karlberg Palace. Here it was agreed that, subject to parliamentary approval, Sweden would support Ukraine in the mass production of long-range missiles and drones.

At the Thursday meeting Axelsson said that Sweden would be shortly announcing a new military aid package for Ukraine, its 18th, which he said would be Stockholm’s largest since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

He said this would include significant funding for Ukraine’s defense industry to provide strategically vital weapons and equipment in line with Kyiv’s stated priorities, based on the so-called “Danish model” – whereby Sweden would purchase weapons produced by Ukrainian manufacturers on behalf of Ukraine’s armed forces.

The Swedish government announced in May last year it would provide additional military support to Ukraine worth 75 billion Krona ($7 billion) over the next three years, which would include donations of Swedish defense equipment, both new builds and from stock, as well as financial support to allow Kyiv to procure weapons and equipment on its own behalf.

Boev said that the ability to produce long-range weapons, air defense systems, and artillery munitions in Ukrainian facilities are key priorities. He said with Swedish and other allies’ assistance the strengthening of domestic production capability and capacity would speed up the supply of the essential materiel and reduce the current reliance on international support.

The meeting also agreed on methodologies and contractual issues relating to the maintenance and repair of equipment already provided by Sweden, in particular the Archer 155mm artillery system, CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles, and the sustainment of command-and-control battlefield communications being used by Ukraine’s defense forces.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on his official website that he had a meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Davos on Wednesday, during which he thanked Sweden for the continuing support it had provided Ukraine. He also referred to the promised new military aid package and said Swedish support had amounted to date to more than $5.6 billion since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.

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.