A momentous shift occurred in the Gaza Strip on Friday as thousands of displaced individuals embarked on the arduous journey back to their homes in the north, following the Israeli military’s announcement of a cease-fire. Mediators are hopeful this truce will mark the conclusion of the protracted two-year conflict.
Families, carrying meager belongings and supporting their young, navigated the dusty coastal road towards what remained of Gaza City, a place they were forced to abandon weeks prior. Despite the visible devastation, a palpable sense of joy filled the air. “The sheer number of people is astonishing,” remarked Shamekh al-Dibs, who, with his family, had sought refuge in the south. “Everyone is incredibly happy, even knowing that destruction awaits us.”
The cease-fire, which Israel confirmed took effect at noon on Friday, was part of a broader agreement with Hamas. This deal stipulates the release of remaining hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, alongside a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Where Israel Has Agreed to Withdraw Troops to in Gaza
(Interactive Map showing withdrawal lines. Source: Israel Defense Forces. Map by Pablo Robles and Samuel Granados)
The map illustrates the agreed-upon initial withdrawal lines for Israeli forces as part of the hostage deal.
This breakthrough agreement stems from a proposal introduced by former President Trump just last week. On Friday, it was announced that Mr. Trump is anticipated to visit Israel’s parliament in Jerusalem on Monday.
According to Steve Witkoff, Mr. Trump’s Mideast envoy, the U.S. military has confirmed Israel’s withdrawal to the designated line within Gaza. This crucial step initiates a 72-hour period for Hamas to release the remaining hostages.
In a recorded statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu affirmed that the cease-fire allows for the return of hostages while Israeli forces retain their presence in Gaza. However, he emphasized that Israel would not yield on its other demands, specifically the disarmament and demilitarization of Hamas. Hamas, for its part, views laying down arms as an act of surrender, considering armed resistance a legitimate response to Israeli control over Palestinian territories.
“If we can achieve this through peaceful means, that is preferable. Otherwise, we will pursue it rigorously,” Netanyahu stated, indicating a firm stance on their objectives.
Along Gaza’s coastal road, Mousa Rajab, a 22-year-old nursing student, and his cousin immediately set out for Gaza City upon learning of the cease-fire. “We just need to see if our homes are still intact,” Rajab explained. “We heard ours sustained some damage, but we must witness it ourselves.”
Despite a history of cease-fires in Gaza collapsing into renewed hostilities, Rajab expressed cautious optimism that this time, the war might truly be nearing its end. “Everything still feels uncertain,” he admitted. “Will we be told to leave again? I sincerely hope this is the very last time we have to walk this path.”
Military spokesman Avichay Adraee confirmed on Friday that Palestinians in southern Gaza would be permitted to use major roads to travel north. However, he issued a stern warning against approaching areas where Israeli troops would maintain an active presence, labeling them “extremely dangerous.”
This announcement followed a Thursday night strike by the Israeli military on a site in northern Gaza, which they claimed housed Hamas fighters posing “an immediate threat” to their forces. Gaza’s Civil Defense emergency rescue service indicated the target was a residential building believed to be occupied by dozens of people at the time.
A government resolution from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office, released Friday, outlined that Israeli forces must reposition to new deployment lines within Gaza by early Saturday. Subsequently, Hamas would have a 72-hour window to release all remaining hostages, including the remains of those who perished. The resolution also sanctioned the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners, many serving life sentences, and 1,722 Gazans detained during the conflict who were not implicated in the October 7, 2023 attacks, including 22 minors.
Later on Friday, the Israeli government published a list of prisoners slated for release, which included individuals convicted of attacks against Israelis. Notably, this list did not feature several high-profile prisoners whose release Hamas was expected to seek. A Hamas office handling prisoner affairs stated that this list was not yet finalized or mutually agreed upon.
Johnatan Reiss contributed reporting.