Israeli forces began withdrawing from parts of Gaza on Friday under a newly approved ceasefire agreement with Hamas, as residents cautiously returned to devastated neighbourhoods after two years of intense warfare.
Witnesses in Gaza City reported seeing columns of Israeli military vehicles leaving positions in the central and southern parts of the territory. In the Sheikh Radwan area, some residents ventured out to inspect the ruins of their homes.
“Thank God my house is still standing,” said Ismail Zayda, 40. “But the place is destroyed, my neighbours’ houses are destroyed, entire districts have gone. Is it over? They said it is. Why does no one come out and tell us whether there is a ceasefire and we can stop being afraid?”
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Israel’s government ratified the ceasefire deal in the early hours of Friday, paving the way for a suspension of hostilities within 24 hours and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas within 72 hours.
“The government has just now approved the framework for the release of all of the hostages — the living and the deceased,” read a statement posted on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official X account.
The truce forms the first phase of a U.S.-brokered initiative spearheaded by President Donald Trump, aimed at ending the prolonged conflict. Under the terms, Hamas will free Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, while Israeli troops will begin a phased withdrawal from Gaza.
Despite the announcement, confusion persisted among Gaza residents about when the ceasefire would take full effect, as sporadic clashes were still being reported in some areas late Friday.
International observers have welcomed the agreement as a potential breakthrough after months of failed mediation efforts, though analysts warned that implementing and sustaining the ceasefire would depend on mutual restraint and coordinated monitoring by both sides.
