Gaza ceasefire in effect – IDF

The Israeli military has said its troops have withdrawn to the agreed lines within the enclave

The Gaza ceasefire has taken effect, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday. According to a statement issued on social media, Israeli troops have completed their withdrawal to positions agreed under US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire deal as of 12pm local time (9:00 GMT).

“IDF troops began positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages,” the military stated. It added that Israeli troops in the Southern Command are still deployed in the area and “will continue to remove any immediate threat.”

The Israeli government earlier approved “phase one” of the ceasefire agreement, which gives the IDF 24 hours to pull back its forces. Hamas is then due to release all living hostages within 72 hours. In return, Israel will free 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained since 2023, including all women and minors.

Forty-eight Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with only about 20 believed to be alive.

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The 20-point ceasefire plan, unveiled by Trump in late September, calls for a phased but full Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, the disarmament of Hamas, and the establishment of a transitional international administration. It envisions Gaza as a “deradicalized, terror-free zone,” with Hamas excluded from governance.

Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya declared late on Thursday that the Gaza war was over, saying Trump’s plan would usher in a “permanent ceasefire.” He added that the group had received “guarantees” from Washington and other mediators that fighting would not resume and submitted a response aimed at preventing further bloodshed.

Local media in Gaza reported early on Friday that residents have begun returning to areas vacated by Israeli forces. CNN, citing Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, head of Al-Shifa Hospital, said at least 19 Palestinian bodies were recovered in Gaza City after Israeli troops began pulling back.

READ MORE: Trump hails Israel-Hamas breakthrough

The Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Israel’s response has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to local officials, and left Gaza in ruins amid a deep humanitarian crisis, prompting the UN to accuse West Jerusalem of genocide.