Photo File: Palestinians gathering on a street in Nuseirat in the Central Gaza Strip

In a significant turn of events, a ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hamas came into effect on Friday, sparking scenes of cautious relief and emotional returns across the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. Thousands of displaced Palestinians began moving northwards, clinging to hope and memories as Israeli troops reportedly began withdrawing from key areas.

The Israeli military confirmed the ceasefire began at noon (0900 GMT), stating it was “in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages.” This marks the beginning of what many hope will be a sustained truce after two years of intense bombardment and hardship for civilians in Gaza.

According to Gaza’s civil defense agency, Israeli troops and armored vehicles were seen pulling back from several frontline positions in Gaza City and Khan Yunis. Journalists with AFP on the ground reported witnessing long streams of displaced people making their way home, many unsure of what, if anything, remains.

“We’re going back to our areas, full of wounds and sorrow, but we thank God for this situation,” said 32-year-old Ameer Abu Lyadeh in Khan Yunis.
“God willing, everyone will return to their areas. We’re happy — even if we return to ruins with no life, at least it’s our land.”

The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed that the government has approved a framework for a hostage release deal with Hamas. The military also acknowledged it was “in the midst of adjusting operational positions in the Gaza Strip.”

Even as calm began to take hold, fighting had not fully ceased by Friday morning. Plumes of smoke and dust were seen rising above northern Gaza, captured by an AFP video journalist filming from across the Israeli border. One municipal worker was reportedly killed in fresh Israeli fire, Gaza civil defense official Mohammed al-Mughayyir said.

The ceasefire follows a previously announced 20-point peace plan introduced by US President Donald Trump, who is expected to travel to the Middle East on Sunday. The plan appears to have facilitated the current truce, but unresolved issues still hang over the region.

Among the most contentious points is the proposed creation of a transitional authority for Gaza under Trump’s peace framework, a move that senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan has publicly rejected in an interview with Al Araby, a Qatar-based broadcaster.

Trump, addressing reporters, insisted that “there will be disarming,” indicating that Hamas’s weapons issue will be dealt with in the second phase of the peace plan. He added that Israeli troops would also make “pullbacks,” which appeared to already be underway on Friday.

“Israeli forces have withdrawn from several areas in Gaza City,” confirmed Mughayyir from the civil defence agency. He identified Tel al-Hawa and Al-Shati refugee camps as some of the key locations vacated by Israeli forces after weeks of intense fighting. Areas in the southern city of Khan Yunis also saw troop withdrawals, residents told AFP.

As reports of the Israeli withdrawal spread, long lines of Palestinians, many of whom had been forced into southern Gaza, began their journey home, walking through roads lined with rubble, under a sky still thick with dust and trauma.

“I’m happy about the truce and peace, even though I’m a mother of a son and a daughter who were killed and I grieve for them deeply. Yet, the truce also brings joy: returning to our homes,” said 53-year-old Areej Abu Saadaeh, walking through debris and memories, determined to reclaim what’s left of her home.

Despite joy in some quarters, the families of 47 Israeli hostages taken during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, remain anxious. Israel has said the release of all captives, both alive and dead, is key to ending the war.

Egypt is reportedly preparing a celebratory event to mark the ceasefire deal, which has also received waves of congratulatory messages from world leaders. Still, on both sides of the border, peace remains fragile and many questions, including the full disarmament of Hamas and Gaza’s political future, are far from resolved.