A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday morning, marking a significant step in efforts to end the devastating two-year war in Gaza. The truce follows Israel’s approval of the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire and hostage return deal.
The Israeli military confirmed a partial withdrawal of its forces from parts of Gaza, stating that troops had moved back to agreed positions while still occupying roughly half of the territory. The move has allowed thousands of displaced Palestinians to begin returning to northern Gaza, an area that has endured relentless bombardment in recent months.
Under the terms of the deal, Hamas has until Monday at noon to release all remaining Israeli hostages, including around 20 believed to be alive and up to 28 bodies. In return, Israel will free about 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, as well as 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
The agreement also includes provisions for unrestricted humanitarian access to the enclave. Approximately 600 aid trucks are expected to enter Gaza daily, delivering food, water, and medical supplies to residents suffering from what UN experts have described as “catastrophic” famine conditions.
Meanwhile, the United States is deploying around 200 troops to Israel to help monitor the ceasefire. A new multinational coordination taskforce comprising personnel from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE will operate under US Central Command (Centcom) to oversee the truce and humanitarian efforts.
The ceasefire marks the first tangible progress since the conflict erupted following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks that left 1,200 Israelis dead and over 250 taken hostage. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, Israel’s subsequent offensive has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, including 18,000 children a toll the UN has deemed credible.
While cautious optimism prevails, the success of this ceasefire hinges on both sides honoring the terms and completing the complex prisoner and hostage exchanges in the coming days.
