Israel Begins Troop Withdrawal as Gaza Cease-Fire Takes Effect
The Israeli military began repositioning its forces along designated lines in Gaza as of 12:00 local time, following the implementation of a cease-fire. This move is being seen as a crucial development by mediators hoping to end the conflict that has lasted more than two years.
The Israeli military began repositioning its forces along designated lines in Gaza as of 12:00 local time, following the implementation of a cease-fire. This move is being seen as a crucial development by mediators hoping to end the conflict that has lasted more than two years.
The cease-fire was announced after the Israeli government approved an agreement with Hamas. According to the deal, Hamas will release the remaining hostages, while Israel will free approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners detained during the conflict and partially withdraw its troops.
Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, confirmed that the U.S. military had verified Israeli troops had moved to the designated positions. Witkoff stated on social media that this opened a 72-hour window for Hamas to hand over the remaining hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a recorded message, said the cease-fire would allow Israel to safely recover the remaining hostages. He also emphasized that Israel would not compromise on its demands for Hamas to disarm and for Gaza to be fully demilitarized. Hamas, however, views disarmament as surrender and considers armed resistance a legitimate right against Israeli control over Palestinian territories.
Following the announcement of the cease-fire, Gaza’s coastal road was crowded with thousands of people walking from the south to the north to check on their homes damaged during the war. Mousa Rajab, a 22-year-old nursing student, said, “We want to see if our homes are still standing. Ours was partly destroyed, but we need to see it with our own eyes.”
Although previous cease-fires in Gaza have quickly collapsed, Rajab expressed hope this time might be different: “Everything is still uncertain. I hope we won’t be told to leave again. I just want this to be the last time we walk this road.”
Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said that main roads from southern Gaza to the north have been opened, but warned that certain areas where Israeli forces remain active are extremely dangerous.
On Thursday night, the Israeli military struck a location in northern Gaza reportedly occupied by Hamas fighters. Civil Defense officials said dozens of people were believed to be inside the building at the time of the strike.
Under the government decision, Israeli forces are to move to new deployment lines by Saturday morning, and Hamas will have 72 hours to hand over all hostages, including the bodies of those who died. In addition, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,722 Gazans detained during the conflict who were not involved in the attacks on October 7, 2023.
A list published on Friday did not include several high-profile prisoners whose release analysts had expected Hamas might seek.