Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas Takes Effect
[City,state] – A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas officially began at 12:00 local time Friday,according to an announcement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The IDF detailed the commencement in a post on X, stating that troops are repositioning along updated deployment lines in anticipation of the ceasefire and the return of hostages.
The IDF confirmed that its Southern Command troops are currently deployed in the area and will remain vigilant, continuing to “remove any immediate threat.”
the agreement follows announcements earlier this week regarding a potential framework for hostage release. On Wednesday, former President donald Trump announced via a social media post that the two sides had agreed to “the first phase” of a peace plan he initially presented in September. This initial phase is expected to lead to the release of approximately 20 hostages and provide relief to nearly 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu afterward announced thursday that Israel’s Cabinet had approved the framework for a deal to release all hostages held by Hamas. Trump indicated the hostages could possibly be released as early as Monday.
This ceasefire brings a halt to two years of conflict that erupted following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, in which nearly 1,200 people were killed and approximately 250 taken hostage.
The ensuing war has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths, according to reports. The Gaza Strip has also experienced a severe humanitarian crisis, with the local health ministry reporting at least 440 deaths from malnutrition last month, including 147 children.
