Israel pulls back as ceasefire begins

GAZA'S civil defence agency said yesterday that Israeli forces had begun pulling back from parts of the territory, particularly in Gaza City and Khan Yunis. During this first part of the withdrawal process, the military will still hold about 53% of the Gaza Strip.

- 

ISRAELI soldiers walk at a position along the Israel-Gaza border fence yesterday, ahead of the first phase of a US-brokered ceasefire agreed to by Hamas and Israel.

(AFP)

Yesterday, the military said its southern command troops were “in the midst of adjusting operational positions in the Gaza Strip”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said yesterday that the government had “approved the framework” of a hostage release deal with Hamas, as both sides edged closer to ending more than two years of hostilities in Gaza.

Israel previously said “all parties” had signed the first phase of a ceasefire agreement, adding that Hamas freeing the captives would “bring the end to this war”.

The accord in Egypt follows a 20-point peace plan for Gaza announced last month by US President Donald Trump, who said he planned to leave tomorrow for the Middle East.

Egypt is planning an event to celebrate the conclusion of the deal, with Trump also expected to stop in Israel and consider going to devastated Gaza.

The Israeli government had said the ceasefire was to take hold within 24 hours of meetings on Thursday to approve the deal, under which the military should eventually withdraw from Gaza.

Yesterday, Netanyahu’s office said the government had “approved the framework for the release of all the hostages, both the living and the deceased”. Netanyahu had faced pushback from his far-right allies, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir saying he would vote against the agreement, calling the plan to release thousands of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the 47 hostages remaining in Gaza “an unbearable heavy price”.