On Friday, October 10 local time, the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas officially came into effect. The Israeli army withdrew from some forward positions in Gaza, and thousands of displaced Palestinians also began to embark on the road back home.
According to Agence France-Presse and Yahoo News, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement through social media at noon on Friday, clarifying that "the ceasefire agreement will officially take effect at 12:00 (09:00 GMT)."
The statement also noted that since the ceasefire came into force, the Israeli military has begun adjusting its position along the updated deployment line to prepare for the implementation of the agreement and the return of hostages.
In a statement, the Israeli military added that despite the ceasefire, the forces will remain alert and will continue to eliminate any immediate threat.The Israeli military has said that a ceasefire before the ceasefire would pave the way for the agreement to come into force and the hostages to return home.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed at a press conference on Friday that Israel is fulfilling its pledge to return all hostages.
He said: "In the two years since the outbreak of the war, I have promised the families of the hostages and all Israeli citizens that I will let every hostage return home, without exception. Now we are fulfilling that promise."
“This result comes from ongoing military pressure and diplomatic efforts that have forced Hamas to agree to the necessary prerequisites for the release of hostages.The ‘Trump Plan’ has placed Hamas in unprecedented diplomatic isolation, which has given them the willingness to sit down and talk.
Gaza Civil Defense confirms Israeli withdrawal
Gaza Civil Defense official Mohammed Mugair confirmed to AFP on Friday that Israeli troops and armored vehicles had withdrawn from forward positions in Gaza City and Khan Younis, including Gaza City's Tall Hawa district, Shati refugee camp, and parts of Khan Younis, which have been subject to intensive Israeli air strikes and ground offensives in recent weeks.
A news agency reporter in the waters of the Gaza Strip saw that the high-rise roads were crowded with returning Palestinians, and on the road leading to Gaza City by Khan Yunis, crowds of people carried easy luggage, walked through the ruins and dust, and returned to their destroyed homes.
32-year-old Amir Abu Liad told reporters in Khan Younis: "We are going back to our place. We are full of injuries and sadness, but we have to thank God for the current situation. Even if we go back and see ruins without any vitality, it is still our land. May everyone go home safely."
Alijie Abu Sadah, 53, was forced to flee at the beginning of the conflict, and now she is moving towards her home.
She said, "The ceasefire is a good thing. I am very happy to be home, but my son and daughter were gone in the war, and this pain will never be forgotten."
A France-based news agency video reporter who filmed the situation in Gaza in Israel said he saw massive amounts of smoke and dust rise over the north of Gaza on Friday morning.
The Israeli military confirmed that the final phase of military operations was carried out in the Gaza Strip that morning and was verifying reports of new strikes. Gaza's Civil Defense Department said a municipal worker was killed by Israeli artillery fire.
Egypt is preparing to hold a ceremony to celebrate the ceasefire agreement. Currently, the families of 47 hostages are still waiting for news from their loved ones.