The Israeli military confirmed the start of a ceasefire in Gaza on Friday afternoon — adding that troops were now withdrawing to agreed-upon deployment lines. The announcement came even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that forces would remain in the area to exert pressure on Hamas until the group disarmed. US President Donald Trump had announced a ceasefire earlier this week which also included the release of remaining hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Palestinians in the narrow enclave however reported heavy shelling in the morning even as the Israeli Cabinet approved the agreement.
“The Ceasefire Agreement Came Into Effect at 12:00. Since 12:00, IDF troops began positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages. IDF troops in the Southern Command are deployed in the area and will continue to remove any immediate threat,” the IDF wrote on X.
Israeli army radio also said that 11 prisoners from Hamas will be released instead of 11 prisoners affiliated with Fatah as part of the Gaza agreement — saying there had been a “last-minute” change in those who would be freed.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also confirmed early on Friday that the Cabinet had approved the “outline” of a deal to release the hostages. The update did not mention other (more controversial) aspects of the ceasefire plan. The PM has since insisted that Israeli forces will remain in Gaza to exert pressure on Hamas and confirmed the impending release of all hostages.