Israeli Military Says Ceasefire Takes Effect In Gaza, Raising Hopes For Ending The War

WADI GAZA, Gaza Strip (AP) — A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza came into effect Friday, the army said, hours after the Israeli Cabinet approved an agreement to halt fighting and replace remaining hostages with Palestinian prisoners.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in the Gaza Valley in the center of Gaza and started marching north after the announcement made by the Israeli army at noon local time. Previously, Palestinians reported heavy shelling of parts of Gaza throughout Friday morning, but no serious shelling was reported afterwards.

The ceasefire is an important step towards ending a devastating war that lasted two years killing tens of thousands of Palestinians, Large parts of Gaza turned into rubbleIt destabilized the Middle East and left dozens of hostages, living and dead, in the region.

Again Broader plan put forward by US President Donald Trump It contains many unanswered questions, such as whether Hamas will disarm, how it will disarm, and who will rule Gaza.

Despite these questions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted in a televised statement on Friday that the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza will occur in the next stages.

“If this can be achieved the easy way, so be it, if not, it will be achieved the hard way,” Netanyahu said. He added that Hamas agreed to the deal “only when it felt that the sword was and still is on its neck.”

Israeli military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said troops completed their withdrawal to deployment lines Friday afternoon, just hours after the ceasefire officially went into effect.

Earlier, an Israeli security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the withdrawal, said the army would control about 50% of Gaza in its new positions.

A steady stream of people, mostly on foot, crammed onto a coastal road in the center of the Gaza Strip, heading north to see what might be left of their homes. Others headed to other parts of the Palestinian territories in the south.

“We want to go back,” said Fayez AlMajdoub, one of the crowd displaced from northern Gaza. “I want to go and make sure my house is still there. That’s what I want to know.”

Jamal Mesbah, another man displaced from northern Gaza, also said he would return.

“My family was waiting and we packed our belongings on the way home. But we still suffered,” he said. “There was not much joy, but the ceasefire somewhat eased the pain of death and bloodshed, the pain of our loved ones and brothers who suffered in this war.”

Hundreds of Palestinians tried to return to their homes in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, but were met with ruined buildings, rubble and destruction as Israeli troops withdrew.

“There was nothing left. Only a few clothes, pieces of wood and pots were left,” said Fatma Radwan, a displaced person from Eastern Khan Younis. He added that people were still trying to pull bodies out from under the rubble.

Many buildings were destroyed and none were damaged as people returned to search for their belongings. “We came to an unidentified place. An unidentified town. Destruction is everywhere,” said Hani Omran, who was displaced from the east of Khan Younis.

When did the war start Hamas-led militants entered Israel Approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 people were taken hostage on October 7, 2023.

More than 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza were killed and nearly 170,000 injured in the ensuing Israeli offensive, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which did not distinguish between civilians and combatants but said about half of the dead were women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas-led government, and the United Nations and many independent experts consider the ministry’s figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.

The war also triggered other conflicts in the region, sparking protests around the world and genocide allegations Israel denies this.

According to the agreement, Israeli soldiers withdrew to new positions in Gaza and all 48 hostages still in captivity are expected to be released. Israel believes about 20 of them are alive.

In return, Israel will release approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. He was not included in the list published by Israel on Friday high-profile prisoner Marwan Barghoutithe most popular Palestinian leader and a potentially unifying figure. Israel considers him and some others to be terrorist masterminds who kill Israeli civilians and has refused to release them in past talks.

Senior Hamas official and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya said Thursday evening that all women and children held in Israeli prisons would be released.

The release of hostages and prisoners is expected to begin Monday, two Egyptian officials and a Hamas official briefed on the talks said, but another official said it could happen as early as Sunday night. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to be publicly named about the negotiations.

Egyptian and Hamas officials said five border crossings between Gaza and Egypt, including the Rafah crossing, are expected to be reopened. This will allow aid to flow into the region, parts of which are experiencing famine.

The Trump plan calls for Israel to maintain an open-ended military presence in Gaza along the Israeli border. An international force consisting largely of soldiers from Arab and Muslim countries will be responsible for Gaza’s security.

To help support and monitor ceasefire agreementUS officials said they would do this send about 200 soldiers To Israel as part of a larger, international team. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details that were not allowed to be released.

The United States will also lead a massive, internationally funded reconstruction effort.

The plan also calls for an eventual role for the Palestinian Authority, something Netanyahu has long opposed. But the authority that governs parts of the West Bank must undergo a comprehensive reform program that could take years.

Even less clear is Trump’s plan for a future Palestinian state, which Netanyahu flatly rejects.

Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip and Lidman from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel; Samy Magdy in Cairo; and Elena Becatoros from Athens, Greece, also contributed.