The Israeli military announced Thursday that it is preparing to pull back troops from Gaza following a historic ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas aimed at freeing the remaining hostages and paving the way toward ending the devastating conflict.
“The IDF has begun operational preparations ahead of the implementation of the agreement. As part of this process, preparations and a combat protocol are underway to transition to adjusted deployment lines soon,” the Israeli army said in an official statement.
The agreement — to be signed in Egypt on Thursday — marks the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the outbreak of war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and triggered a massive humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Deal Highlights
- Ceasefire Agreement: Israel and Hamas will halt hostilities as part of a multi-phase truce.
- Hostage Exchange: Hamas will release 20 living hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences. The swap will occur within 72 hours of implementation.
- Surge in Humanitarian Aid: The ceasefire will allow a large-scale influx of aid into Gaza, where food, water, and medicine have been severely limited.
- Next Steps: The deal stems from a 20-point peace plan for Gaza announced last month by U.S. President Donald Trump, which envisions the disarmament of Hamas and eventual governance by a transitional authority led by Trump himself — though that aspect remains unaddressed.
A Hamas source confirmed the group’s agreement to the terms, telling AFP that the timing of implementation would be announced later Thursday. Trump expressed optimism, saying he believed “all the hostages will be coming back on Monday.”
‘Tears of Joy’ in Gaza
News of the ceasefire triggered emotional reactions across the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.
“Honestly, when I heard the news, I couldn’t hold back. Tears of joy flowed,” said Samer Joudeh, a displaced Palestinian. “Two years of bombing, terror, destruction, loss, humiliation, and the constant feeling that we could die at any moment. Now, we finally feel like we’re getting a moment of respite.”
In Khan Yunis, AFP footage captured crowds of young people singing, clapping, and dancing in the streets, expressing cautious optimism after years of despair.
Talks in Egypt
The negotiations have been held indirectly in Sharm El-Sheikh, the Egyptian Red Sea resort, with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States facilitating. Unlike earlier ceasefire discussions, this round was conducted without ceremonial fanfare, possibly reflecting the parties’ focus on practical steps rather than symbolic gestures.
Qatar described the agreement as the “first phase of the Gaza ceasefire,” saying it would “lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid.”
If implemented successfully, the deal could represent a turning point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, setting the stage for broader negotiations on Gaza’s long-term political and humanitarian future.
