Start of Ceasefire in Gaza and Withdrawal of the Israeli Army
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect in Gaza at noon local time today. The agreement, mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, with the participation of Turkey, was approved by the Israeli cabinet. At the same time, the Israeli army began a partial withdrawal from certain areas of the Gaza Strip.
According to the provisions of the agreement, military operations have been halted and Israeli forces have returned to the designated deployment lines. In return, all Israeli captives are to be released within 72 hours, while Israel will also release a number of Palestinian prisoners. In addition, large-scale humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and relief supplies, will begin entering Gaza, with hundreds of trucks delivering assistance daily to different parts of the Strip.
The ceasefire agreement also includes the reopening of the Rafah crossing under the supervision of an international committee. This mechanism will allow Palestinians abroad to return to Gaza. At the same time, local security units will be deployed in the evacuated areas to maintain public order.
The agreement, set out in a document titled “Comprehensive End to the Gaza War,” contains several key articles, including the immediate cessation of military operations, the withdrawal of the Israeli army, the release of captives, and the establishment of a special monitoring group with the participation of several countries.
Within this framework, the United States announced that it will send a group of its forces to Israel to establish a coordination center to oversee the implementation of the agreement and the delivery of humanitarian aid. These forces will not enter Gaza and will serve only in a support and monitoring role.
