| The Israeli military says it has partially withdrawn its troops from parts of Gaza under the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on Friday morning. The ceasefire agreement prompted the movement of displaced families from the southern parts of the enclave to the north. The ceasefire came into effect after the Israeli government approved the first phase of US President Donald Trump‘s ceasefire and hostage return deal on Thursday. Under the agreement, Israel is set to release around 2,000 Palestinians prisoners in exchange for the remaining captives. Under the terms of the deal, aid lorries should also be allowed unrestricted into the Strip to bring desperately needed aid to Gaza’s population – many of whom have been repeatedly displaced during the two-year war. Some 600 aid lorries were expected to enter Gaza daily from Friday, though details of the rollout remain unclear and it has not yet been confirmed whether any increased aid has reached people since the ceasefire began. A famine was declared in part of the territory for the first time in August by UN-backed experts, who said more than 500,000 people were facing “catastrophic” conditions characterised by “starvation, destitution and death”. Israel has repeatedly denied that there is starvation in the territory. The plan from US President Donald Trump calls for Israel to maintain an open-ended military presence inside Gaza along its fence with Israel. An international force, comprised largely of troops from Arab and Muslim countries, would be responsible for security inside Gaza. The United States would lead a massive internationally funded reconstruction effort. Speaking to reporters at the White House, the US president has confirmed that Israeli captives held in Gaza are set to be released on Monday. |
Israel withdraw; Palestinians return to Gaza
