Israeli forces say it has partially withdrawn troops from parts of Gaza after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday morning.
The Israeli army stated that they had pulled back to an agreed position within the territory—though troops still occupy half of the Strip.
Footage shows thousands of Palestinians making their way to the north of Gaza, which has been heavily bombarded by Israeli forces in recent times.
The ceasefire came into effect after the Israeli government approved the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire and hostage release deal on Thursday. The next phases are still being negotiated.
Under the deal, Hamas militia has until 12:00 local time (10:00 BST) on Monday to release all Israeli hostages—including 20 who are believed to be alive—and up to 28 hostages’ remains.
Israel is also expected to release about 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails. Israeli army radio said 100 will be released into the West Bank and five to East Jerusalem. More are expected to be deported.
Also, 1,700 Palestinians from Gaza who have been detained should also be released.
Under the terms of the deal, aid trucks should also be allowed unrestricted entry into the Strip to bring desperately needed aid to Gaza’s population—many of whom have been repeatedly displaced during the two-year war.
Around 600 aid trucks are slated to enter Gaza daily beginning Friday, though the details of the rollout are unknown, and it has yet to be established whether any additional help has reached civilians since the cease-fire began.
UN-backed experts declared a famine in part of the region for the first time in August, claiming that more than half a million people were experiencing “catastrophic” conditions characterized by “starvation, destitution, and death.” Israel has repeatedly disputed that there is famine in the territories.
According to eyewitnesses in Gaza, forces have pulled back from the northwestern fringes of Gaza City towards the east.
In the south, several Israeli troops were said to have withdrawn from the Khan Younis area.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced via social media that its forces “began positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines” from 12:00 local time.
“IDF troops in the Southern Command are deployed in the area and will continue to remove any immediate threat,” the statement added.
According to US special envoy Steve Witkoff, US Central Command has certified that IDF troops have “completed the first phase withdrawal” to the “yellow line.” The line appeared on a graphic issued by the White House last week, indicating where forces would retreat during this phase of the cease-fire accord, where they will control 53% of Gaza.
“The 72-hour period to release the hostages has begun,” Witkoff added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a televised address that he was “fulfilling” his commitment to return all hostages.
He claimed that Israeli troops were still “surrounding Hamas from every direction,” and that the next steps in Trump’s plan include disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza. Hamas has not yet pledged to disarm.
Earlier on Friday, there was some uncertainty about when the cease-fire was enforced. Eyewitnesses told the BBC that air attacks continued in Gaza until the early hours of Friday.
The Hamas-run health ministry reported that 17 persons had been killed in the last 24 hours.
The IDF stated that it would continue to operate from its updated deployment lines “to remove any immediate threat” and advised residents to avoid accessing areas still under Israeli military control.
Hamas security troops were deployed on the streets of Gaza City after the IDF withdrew. They were photographed wearing headgear with the emblem of the Hamas Internal Security agency rather than a regular police squad.
As troops largely retreated, thousands of Palestinians were recorded walking up Gaza’s beachfront route to the north.
Many people walked for more than 20 kilometers (12 miles), carrying their goods on their backs.
Along the damaged narrow lanes, several people hoisted Palestinian flags and flashed victory signals. However, many appeared frail and emaciated.
“The road is long and difficult; there’s no food or water,” said Alaa Saleh, a schoolteacher who fled Gaza City with his wife and six children to Khan Younis in the south.
“I left my family behind and started walking north. Thousands around me are struggling. Hiring a car costs around 4,000 shekels (£924; $1,227), far beyond what most people can afford,” he told the BBC.
Israel’s assault on Gaza was precipitated by Hamas-led strikes on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were murdered and 251 were held captive.
More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed since then, including over 18,000 children, according to Hamas’ health ministry.
The United Nations Commission of Inquiry and top scholars have accused Israel of perpetrating genocide against Palestinians in Gaza during the war.
Israel has emphatically disputed the claim, calling it “distorted and false.”
