Gaza Strip: The Gaza war has ended as the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian terrorist group Hamas has come into effect, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday. This brings to an end the two-year-old war that erupted following Hamas’s brutal attack in southern Israel, with the Hamas rebels killing at least 1,200 people and taking over 250 people hostage on October 7, 2023.
The ceasefire came into effect at noon Israel time (2.30 pm IST). The initial de-escalation is part of a 20-point peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, with both warring parties agreeing to the terms of the first phase of the peace process.
“The Ceasefire Agreement Came Into Effect at 12:00. Since 12:00, IDF troops began positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages,” the IDF announced.
“IDF troops in the Southern Command are deployed in the area and will continue to remove any immediate threat”.
Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement on Thursday — a major breakthrough under Trump’s peace initiative aimed at ending the two-year war in Gaza that has rattled the Middle East.
Under the terms of the deal, Israel will halt military operations while Hamas releases Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The announcement sparked celebrations across both Israel and the Palestinian territories, marking the most significant step yet toward ending a conflict that has claimed more than 67,000 Palestinian lives and securing the return of the remaining hostages taken in the initial Hamas attacks that ignited the war.
THE PEACE AGREEMENT
Under the terms of the agreement, hostilities will come to an end as Israel begins a partial withdrawal from Gaza, while Hamas commits to releasing all remaining hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli custody.
Trump announced on Thursday that the hostage releases are expected to begin early next week.
The deal also opens the way for a massive humanitarian operation, with convoys of trucks carrying food, medicine, and other relief supplies set to enter Gaza.
The aid aims to support hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians who have been living in makeshift shelters after Israeli forces devastated large parts of the territory, leaving many cities in ruins.
THE FIRST PHASE OF DE-ESCALATION
In the first phase, Hamas will release all surviving Israeli hostages—believed to number around 20—while the IDF pull back to a pre-designated line within Gaza. Israeli officials estimate that about 48 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza.
According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hamas originally took 251 hostages into Gaza two years ago. Of those, 148 have since been freed through previous ceasefire deals or military rescue operations, while the bodies of 57 others have been recovered or returned to Israel.
PATH TO ULTIMATE PEACE NOT SO SMOOTH?
Despite the breakthrough, significant challenges remain. A Palestinian official revealed that even after the agreement was signed, the list of prisoners to be released had not been finalised.
Hamas is reportedly pushing for the inclusion of several high-profile Palestinian inmates, along with hundreds of others detained during Israel’s recent military campaign.
Key elements of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan are still under discussion, including who will govern the devastated Gaza Strip once hostilities end and what will become of Hamas, which continues to reject Israel’s demand to disarm.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces resistance from within his own coalition.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened to vote against the deal and even topple the government if Hamas remains intact.
Nevertheless, news of the ceasefire and the expected return of hostages was met with widespread celebration across the region, offering a rare moment of hope after years of bloodshed.
