On Friday, Israeli forces commenced a withdrawal from certain areas of the Gaza Strip, in connection with a ceasefire arrangement with Hamas. Amid the chaos, some residents cautiously returned to their neighborhoods, questioning when the long-standing conflict would officially conclude.
“Thank God my house is still standing,” expressed Ismail Zaida, a resident from Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan district. “But so much around me is in ruins, and everyone’s homes are gone. Is it really over? They keep saying it’s done, but why isn’t anyone telling us if a ceasefire is trulyreachable so we can stop living in fear?”
The Israeli government ratified the ceasefire with Hamas early Friday, leading to a planned cessation of hostilities in Gaza. Notably, agreements to release Israeli hostages were to be executed quickly.
Israeli Forces Begin Withdrawal from Central and Southern Positions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced through his X account that the government had authorized a process for releasing all hostages, whether alive or deceased.
Residents in Khan Yunis reported hearing tank fire, even as some Israeli troops began withdrawing from areas close to the border.
At the Nuseirat camp, some soldiers moved east toward the border while others remained, reportedly due to ongoing gunfire.
As Israeli forces retreated along the Mediterranean coast into Gaza City, hundreds gathered, trying to return to the urban center, which had been under siege for the past month.
Many residents hesitated to travel due to nearby gunfire, with only a few daring to cross on foot.
Rescue teams in Gaza City have started operations in previously unreachable areas, with medics reporting the recovery of at least ten bodies from prior airstrikes.
Hamas Leader Claims Assurances That War is Concluded
The conflict has deepened Israel’s isolation on the international stage and has drawn in regional actors, including Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon. Furthermore, it poses challenges for U.S.-Israel relations, as President Trump appears to be losing patience with Netanyahu and is pressing for a resolution.
Following the announcement of the ceasefire, both Israelis and Palestinians expressed relief. It represents a significant step toward ending a war that has claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives and involves returning the last hostages from the initial attacks that triggered Hamas’s actions.
Khalil al-Haya, Hamas’ exiled leader, stated he received assurances from various mediators, including the U.S., that hostilities had ended.
Currently, it’s believed that twenty Israeli hostages are alive in Gaza, while another twenty-six are presumed dead, and the status of two remains uncertain. Hamas has indicated that recovering the deceased may take longer than securing the release of those still alive.
If the ceasefire holds, aid trucks will be sent into Gaza to assist countless civilians forced to live in makeshift shelters, as Israeli forces have obliterated many homes.
Remaining Challenges
The full implementation of the agreement could edge both parties closer than previous attempts to avert future conflict. However, many uncertainties remain. For instance, neither side has yet disclosed a list of Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged for the Israeli hostages. Hamas is seeking the release of high-profile Palestinian inmates along with others apprehended during recent raids.
Many aspects of President Trump’s broader twenty-point plan remain unconfirmed, including governance in post-conflict Gaza and the future of Hamas, which has so far resisted demands to disarm.
Netanyahu faces skepticism from within his coalition, given his historical resistance to any deals with Hamas.
President Trump plans to visit the region on Sunday, potentially attending a signing event in Egypt, and has been invited to address the Israeli parliament.
Support for the agreement has come from various Arab and Western nations, with many viewing it as a significant diplomatic accomplishment for Trump.
U.S. officials announced the deployment of 200 troops as part of a Joint Task Force for Stability in Gaza, affirming that no American personnel are currently on the ground in the enclave. This contingent will serve as the core of a task force that could also encompass troops from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and possibly the UAE.
Since the conflict ignited on October 7, 2023, after a Hamas-led attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 251 hostages, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing violence.
