GAZA CITY — A long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza came into effect at 12 noon local time (0900 GMT) on Friday, as Israel began its gradual troop withdrawal in line with U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan to end the two-year war.
“Starting at 12:00, army forces took up positions on the new operational deployment lines based on the ceasefire agreement and the return of the abductees,” the Israeli army said in a statement.
The army confirmed that troops were redeploying along the ‘Yellow Line’ inside the Gaza Strip, while maintaining positions to address “immediate threats.”
Israeli media said the full withdrawal would be completed within 24 hours, with forces pulling back from Rafah, Khan Younis, and northern Gaza.
As the ceasefire began, tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians flooded northward from southern Gaza toward Gaza City, many using the Al-Rashid coastal road and Salah al-Din highway, which were opened for movement.
Adraee warned civilians against approaching military zones or coastal areas, calling them “extremely dangerous.”
The withdrawal revealed massive destruction across Gaza City, particularly in the Sheikh Radwan and Al-Nasr neighborhoods, where footage showed entire residential blocks reduced to rubble after heavy bombardment.
The Gaza Civil Defense Directorate urged residents not to approach evacuated areas until official clearance is given, citing the risk of unexploded ordnance and structural collapse.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) welcomed the ceasefire as a “turning point” after “two years of unimaginable horror,” urging both parties to uphold their commitments and facilitate humanitarian access.
“The coming days are critical,” said ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric. “Humanitarian assistance must resume urgently at full capacity and be delivered to people safely wherever they are.”
Under the ceasefire deal, Hamas will release 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 captives, while Israel will free 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
The Israeli Ministry of Justice on Friday published the list of prisoners set for release, allowing the public to file petitions, though such appeals are typically rejected by the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that Palestinians stranded abroad will be allowed to return to Gaza via the Rafah crossing for the first time since October 7, 2023, under a new coordination mechanism between Israel and Egypt.
The humanitarian annex of the agreement allows 600 aid trucks daily to enter Gaza carrying food, medical supplies, shelter materials, and fuel.
The ceasefire marks the first phase of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, which envisions a permanent truce, a complete Israeli withdrawal, and the creation of a new governing body for Gaza supported by Arab and Islamic countries.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed nearly 67,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and left the enclave largely uninhabitable. — Agencies
