The Israeli military has started pulling its troops back from several areas of Gaza as part of the newly approved Gaza ceasefire agreement. This move signals the possible end of nearly two years of intense warfare. The move has prompted displaced Palestinian families to begin returning from southern Gaza toward the north.
Ceasefire Plan Approved
Israel’s government approved the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which includes a prisoner exchange and a partial withdrawal of forces. The decision is expected to halt fighting within 24 hours. Under the deal, Hamas has 72 hours to release Israeli captives.
While officials have not yet clarified how the plan fits into a long-term peace framework, it marks the first significant step toward ending the conflict since October 2023.
Hamas Welcomes the Agreement
Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas’s negotiating team, said the group received guarantees from the United States and mediators ensuring that the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement means the war “has ended completely.”
He described the troop withdrawal as a critical sign that both sides are committed to implementing the deal and allowing reconstruction to begin.
War’s Heavy Toll
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed over 67,000 Palestinians and injured more than 169,000, most of them women and children. Thousands remain missing under the rubble of destroyed homes. In Israel, 1,139 people died and around 200 became captives for Hamas during the initial Hamas-led attack.
A Fragile Hope for Peace
Despite the progress, analysts warn that the Gaza ceasefire agreement remains fragile. Still, Israel’s troop pullback and the initial prisoner exchanges offer a glimmer of hope for lasting calm after months of destruction and displacement.
