Nuseirat, Gaza Strip — A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect Friday, offering a fragile pause in a two-year-long conflict that has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure and displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians. In the immediate aftermath, waves of exhausted Palestinians began returning to what remains of their homes, many facing destruction, loss, and uncertainty.
The truce, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, includes provisions for a phased military withdrawal by Israel and the mutual release of hostages and detainees. Trump, addressing reporters in Washington, expressed optimism about the agreement’s durability, remarking that both sides are “tired of the fighting.”
The Israeli military announced it had ceased fire at noon local time (0900 GMT) as part of the agreement. By late afternoon, the Pentagon confirmed that Israel had completed the first stage of its withdrawal plan, although Israeli forces continue to hold control over roughly 53 percent of Gaza’s territory.
The ceasefire triggers a 72-hour timeline for Hamas to release 47 hostages — a mix of living individuals and bodies — taken during the October 7, 2023 attack that reignited the conflict. The remains of a hostage reportedly held in Gaza since 2014 are also expected to be returned.
In exchange, Israel has published a list of 250 Palestinian prisoners it will release, alongside 1,700 additional detainees apprehended during the recent war. The planned exchange is a central pillar of the agreement and will be monitored by international observers.
As fighting halted, thousands of Palestinians began moving north from the city of Khan Yunis, where many had taken refuge during Israeli military operations. The United Nations has described humanitarian conditions in Gaza as catastrophic, with widespread displacement, food insecurity, and infrastructure collapse.
Gaza’s civil defense agency confirmed Israeli troops and armored vehicles were retreating from key urban areas, including Gaza City and Khan Yunis. Still, Israeli authorities warned civilians to avoid zones where repositioning is ongoing.
“We’re going back to our areas, full of wounds and sorrow, but we thank God for this situation,” said Ameer Abu Iyadeh, 32, speaking from Khan Yunis. Mohammed Mortaja, 39, walking with his family toward their neighborhood in Gaza City, added: “I just pray my home hasn’t been destroyed. We only hope the war will end for good.”
Militant factions including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) called the ceasefire “a setback to the occupation’s goals of displacement and uprooting.” In a joint statement, they emphasized the need for “national vigilance” during implementation and reiterated their commitment to negotiating with international mediators to protect Palestinian rights.
Italy has confirmed that the EU mission at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt will reopen pedestrian access on October 14, a move expected to ease humanitarian constraints.
President Trump announced plans to meet regional leaders in Egypt early next week to discuss Gaza’s postwar future, expressing hope that the current ceasefire could pave the way for broader regional stability and long-term peace.|
