Palestinians have started returning to northern Gaza after the Israeli military confirmed that a ceasefire is now in effect, marking the first phase of the Trump-brokered peace and hostage return agreement.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday that its troops have withdrawn to positions outlined in the agreement but will continue to “neutralize any immediate threat” if necessary.
The ceasefire follows the Israeli government’s approval of the first phase of the peace and prisoner exchange deal, under which Hamas is to release all Israeli hostages within 72 hours, while Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
The truce also allows for the entry of hundreds of aid trucks carrying food, water, and medical supplies to Gaza, where more than two million people have been displaced by months of intense fighting.
In Gaza City, residents returning home have been met with scenes of widespread devastation. “People are returning to scenes of total destruction. There is little left standing,” reported journalist Rushdi Abualouf from northern Gaza.
Entire neighborhoods lie in ruins, and families continue searching through the rubble for any remnants of their homes and belongings.
While the ceasefire brings a long-awaited pause to the violence, regional observers warn that the truce remains fragile, with both sides under intense pressure to uphold their commitments.
The agreement is seen as a major test of the Trump administration’s broader Middle East peace framework, which aims to lay the groundwork for lasting stability in the region after years of conflict.
