The Israeli military says it has partially withdrawn troops from parts of Gaza after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday morning.
Israeli forces said 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 months.
The ceasefire came into effect after the Israeli government approved the first phase of US President Donald Trump's ceasefire and hostage return deal on Thursday. The next phases are still being negotiated.
Under the deal, Hamas has until 12:00 local time on Monday to release all Israeli hostages - including 20 who are believed to be alive and up to 28 hostages' remains. Israel should also 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, with more expected to be deported. A further 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 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 expected to enter Gaza daily from Friday, though details of the rollout remain unclear and it has not yet been confirmed whether any increased aid has reached people since the ceasefire began.
Eyewitnesses in Gaza said troops had pulled back from the north-western outskirts of Gaza City towards the east. In the south, some Israeli troops were also reported to have pulled back from the Khan Younis area.
In a statement on social media, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its troops began positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines from noon local time.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said US Central Command had confirmed IDF troops had completed the first phase withdrawal to what he referred to as the yellow line. This line was featured in a map released by the White House detailing troop withdrawal during the ceasefire agreement.
The 72-hour period to release the hostages has begun, Witkoff added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a televised address he was fulfilling the promise to bring back all hostages, despite confusion over the timing of the ceasefire implementation as air strikes reportedly continued.
In areas of Gaza City where the IDF had withdrawn, Hamas security forces were deployed on the streets. Many Palestinians began their difficult trek north with their belongings, showing visible signs of malnourishment and fatigue after struggling to find food and shelter.
The situation remains dire as aid agencies warn of critical shortages in food, water, and essential supplies across the ongoing war-torn region.
Israeli forces said 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 months.
The ceasefire came into effect after the Israeli government approved the first phase of US President Donald Trump's ceasefire and hostage return deal on Thursday. The next phases are still being negotiated.
Under the deal, Hamas has until 12:00 local time on Monday to release all Israeli hostages - including 20 who are believed to be alive and up to 28 hostages' remains. Israel should also 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, with more expected to be deported. A further 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 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 expected to enter Gaza daily from Friday, though details of the rollout remain unclear and it has not yet been confirmed whether any increased aid has reached people since the ceasefire began.
Eyewitnesses in Gaza said troops had pulled back from the north-western outskirts of Gaza City towards the east. In the south, some Israeli troops were also reported to have pulled back from the Khan Younis area.
In a statement on social media, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its troops began positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines from noon local time.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said US Central Command had confirmed IDF troops had completed the first phase withdrawal to what he referred to as the yellow line. This line was featured in a map released by the White House detailing troop withdrawal during the ceasefire agreement.
The 72-hour period to release the hostages has begun, Witkoff added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a televised address he was fulfilling the promise to bring back all hostages, despite confusion over the timing of the ceasefire implementation as air strikes reportedly continued.
In areas of Gaza City where the IDF had withdrawn, Hamas security forces were deployed on the streets. Many Palestinians began their difficult trek north with their belongings, showing visible signs of malnourishment and fatigue after struggling to find food and shelter.
The situation remains dire as aid agencies warn of critical shortages in food, water, and essential supplies across the ongoing war-torn region.
