Following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning to their abandoned homes as Israeli troops started withdrawing from parts of Gaza. A large group of displaced Gazans made their way towards Gaza City, the largest urban area in the enclave, which had recently faced intense attacks during one of Israel’s major offensives.
The ceasefire, activated at noon local time by the Israeli military, was ratified by Israel’s government, paving the way for a partial troop withdrawal and a complete halt to hostilities within 24 hours. Israeli hostages are set to be released within 72 hours in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
As part of US President Donald Trump’s initiative to end the conflict in Gaza, Israeli forces are to withdraw from certain urban areas while maintaining control over approximately half of the enclave’s territory. Once the agreement is in effect, aid trucks carrying food and medical supplies will enter Gaza to assist civilians who have been displaced and living in tents after their homes were destroyed by Israeli forces.
In different parts of Gaza, Israeli troops were observed pulling back from certain areas, while gunfire and tank shelling were reported in other locations. Despite the ceasefire, some residents remained cautious about returning home due to nearby gunfire.
Rescue missions in Gaza City were initiated following the ceasefire, with medics recovering bodies from previous strikes. The ceasefire announcement brought hope to many Palestinians, even though the destruction of their homes has left them with little to return to.
The ceasefire marks a significant development in the two-year conflict, which has claimed numerous lives and led to international tensions. The agreement, if fully implemented, could pave the way for a lasting peace in the region, although challenges such as the release of prisoners and the governance of Gaza post-conflict still remain unresolved.
The deal received backing from various countries and was viewed as a diplomatic achievement for President Trump. The United States announced plans to deploy 200 troops as part of a joint task force to support stability in Gaza, working alongside other international partners.
The conflict in Gaza has resulted in a high number of casualties, with over 67,000 Palestinians losing their lives since the onset of the violence triggered by Hamas-led militants’ attacks on Israeli territory.