The BRICS TimesFrom Friday noon, the truce took effect as Israeli forces began withdrawing and Gazans started heading back to their shattered homes.
Ceasefire takes hold
As Israeli troops began pulling out of Gaza, thousands of Palestinians started returning to their devastated neighborhoods following the ceasefire deal. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned that if Hamas remains armed, military operations could restart anytime.
The temporary calm, brokered by former US President Donald Trump, brought a moment of relief but uncertainty lingers around Hamas’s disarmament. On Friday, Netanyahu reaffirmed that Gaza’s demilitarization will happen — by persuasion or force.
“Hamas will be disarmed, and Gaza will be demilitarized. If this is achieved the easy way, great. And if not, it will be achieved the hard way,” Netanyahu declared in a video address.
Troops reposition after truce
By Friday noon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed their soldiers had begun withdrawing and realigning in preparation for the peace agreement and the release of hostages.
“Since 12:00, IDF troops began positioning themselves along updated deployment lines in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages. IDF forces in the Southern Command remain alert to neutralize any immediate threat,” IDF stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Currently, Israeli troops still control 53% of Palestinian territory. The Pentagon later confirmed Israel has completed the first stage of demilitarization.
Trump expressed optimism that the ceasefire would “hold,” noting that both sides were exhausted from prolonged conflict.
Gazans begin returning home
According to AFP, thousands of Palestinians displaced during two years of fighting have begun going back to their homes. Rescue workers recovered several bodies from the ruins after the ceasefire began.
Italy announced that the EU mission at Gaza’s Rafah border will reopen the pedestrian crossing with Egypt on October 14. However, Israeli authorities warned that some zones remain restricted, urging civilians to stay clear of military areas as troops “adjust operational positions in the Gaza Strip.”
Gaza Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmud Bassal reported that nearly 200,000 Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza since the ceasefire came into force.
Hostage release under peace deal
Under the truce, Hamas is set to hand over 47 hostages, both living and deceased, from the 251 people kidnapped during the October 7 attacks two years ago. The remains of another captive held since 2014 are also expected to be returned.
Israel has released the list of 250 Palestinian prisoners it plans to free, along with 1,700 Gazans detained since October 7, 2023.
Netanyahu called the hostage return “a moment of national celebration.”
“Citizens of Israel, two years ago, the Simhat Torah holiday became a day of national mourning,” Netanyahu said, referring to the Jewish festival starting Monday night. “This Simhat Torah, with God’s help, will be a day of national joy, celebrating the return of all our brothers and sisters held hostage,” he added.
