Journalism of Courage
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas for the Gaza Strip took effect at noon local time Friday, the Israeli military announced, confirming that its forces were withdrawing to new deployment lines in accordance with the agreement.
A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the Cabinet had approved the “outline” of a deal to release the remaining hostages but did not elaborate on other elements of the plan.
The military update added that Israeli forces “in the Southern Command are deployed in the area and will continue to operate to eliminate any immediate threat.”
The agreement indicates Hamas now has 72 hours to release all remaining hostages.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, residents in Gaza reported heavy shelling through Friday morning. Artillery fire and airstrikes were reported across central and northern Gaza, including the Nuseirat refugee camp and Gaza City.
“The shelling has significantly increased today,” said Mahmoud Sharkawy, displaced from Gaza City and sheltering in Nuseirat, AP reported. Shifa hospital’s managing director, Rami Mhanna, said bombardments continued in southern and northern Gaza City even after news of the Cabinet’s approval broke, the report added.
“It is confusing — we have been hearing shelling all night despite the ceasefire news,” said Heba Garoun, who fled her home in eastern Gaza City.
Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya outlined the main elements of the ceasefire Thursday night, saying Israel would release about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, open the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, and permit the entry of humanitarian aid.
He said all women and children in Israeli jails would be freed and claimed the Trump administration and mediators assured that “the war is over.”
“We declare today that we have reached an agreement to end the war and the aggression against our people,” Al-Hayya said in a televised statement.
US officials said about 200 American troops would be deployed to Israel as part of an international team to support and monitor the implementation of the ceasefire.
(With Inputs from Associated Press)
