Israel Pulls Out of Parts of Gaza As Ceasefire Comes Into Force

GAZA – The long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza began Friday morning, and for the first time in two years of war, Israeli troops have partially pulled back.

The Israeli military says forces have withdrawn to new lines inside the strip, still holding just over half the territory.

The move is part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s ceasefire and hostage return deal.

HAMAS has until Monday to release all Israeli hostages, and in return Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow a massive influx of aid trucks into the strip.

Meanwhile thousands of Palestinians are walking back north along Gaza’s coastal road, many of them malnourished.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his priority is to bring home every hostage, but with more than 67,000 Palestinians reported killed, the next phases of the deal remain uncertain.