Ceasefire in Gaza comes into effect, Israeli army begins withdrawal
A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip came into effect at 12 p.m. local time, a spokesperson for the Israeli army confirmed on Friday. Earlier in the day, both Israeli and Arab media reported Israeli forces were pulling back from several areas.
Israeli forces have begun repositioning “along adjusted deployment lines,” the spokesperson said, adding that troops will “continue to eliminate any immediate threats.”
Despite the truce, the army warned that several areas in Gaza remain “extremely dangerous” for civilians. Thousands of Palestinians were seen walking northward through the enclave on Friday, according to AFP journalists on the ground.
In the meantime, international aid groups are ready to deliver aid as soon as they get the green light. Around 600 trucks are expected to enter Gaza on Friday, similar to the ceasefire in January.
No full withdrawal yet
Under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the army is expected to withdraw to a first defensive line, leaving roughly 53 percent of Gaza under Israeli control. A full withdrawal is planned at a later stage, and some units are already returning to Israel.
Following the start of the truce, Hamas has 72 hours to release all remaining hostages, both living and deceased. It remains unclear when that process will begin. Israel says 48 hostages are still held in Gaza, about 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
In exchange, Israel is set to release more than 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences.
The next phase of the peace plan foresees further negotiations aimed at reaching a lasting agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. According to the plan presented by former US president Donald Trump, a complete Israeli withdrawal would only take place once an international security force is deployed in Gaza.
PHOTO © Bashar TALEB / AFP
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