Israeli military says ceasefire in effect after pulling back from parts of Gaza | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Ceasefire Agreement
• Hostage Release
• Palestinian Prisoner Exchange
• Troop Withdrawal
• Humanitarian Aid Delivery
• Rafa Crossing
• Ground Offensive
• Displacement and Return

Ceasefire Agreement and Hostage/Prisoner Exchange

An agreed ceasefire in Gaza has officially come into effect. This development follows the Israeli government's formal approval of the first stage of President Trump's ceasefire plan. The primary objective of this phase is the release of all hostages held in Gaza, encompassing both the living and the deceased. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed this in a statement on X, saying, "The government has just now approved the framework for the release of all of the hostages, the living and the deceased."

The first phase of the ceasefire plan also stipulates the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli troops to an agreed line within Gaza. Specifically, the Hamas Political Bureau's deputy chairman stated that the agreement includes the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment, in addition to 1,700 prisoners from the Gaza Strip arrested after October 7th, and all children and women.

International Mediation and Support

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed profound gratitude to President Trump and his team, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witskoff, for their "extraordinary help" in securing the release of the hostages. Netanyahu highlighted their tireless work, dedication, and the "combined military and diplomatic pressure that isolated Kamas" (Hamas) as crucial factors leading to this point. He personally thanked Steve and Jared for their "long hours" and commitment, stating their efforts were "for the benefit of Israel and the United States, for the benefit of decent people everywhere, and for the benefit of these families who will finally get to be with their loved ones."

The deputy chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau confirmed receiving guarantees from the US and other mediating parties that "the war has completely ended." This agreement, from Hamas's perspective, signifies an end to the war and aggression, the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of occupation forces, the entry of aid, and the opening of the Rafa crossing in both directions.

Humanitarian Aid Efforts and Challenges

Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, outlined the UN's plans for delivering aid into Gaza. He described the "unimaginable suffering" in Gaza, citing tens of thousands killed, including over 18,000 children—an average of one child killed every hour for two years. While acknowledging the agreement as a "real breakthrough," Fletcher emphasized that the true breakthrough would be when hostages are home, children are fed, safe, not bombed, can receive operations with anesthetics, return to school, and families are reunited.

The UN has a "60-day plan to get that aid in to save lives at huge, huge scale," aiming to "overwhelm Gaza with food and generosity and aid and help right now." Key requirements for aid delivery include:

• Lifting Restrictions: Ensuring previously placed restrictions by Israel on aid deliveries are removed.
• Access: All crossings must be open, with safe routes for convoys and protected personnel (hundreds of UN colleagues have been killed in the last two years).
• Infrastructure: Removal of red tape and physical barriers, restoration of power to bakeries, hospitals, and water stations.
• Partnerships: Access for NGO colleagues and partners, and international media to report on the situation.

The immediate objective is to increase food deliveries, specifically high-nutrition food, to 2 million people across the entire Gaza Strip (north and south). The UN has 172,000 metric tons of food, medicine, and tents prepositioned, cleared, and ready for deployment, with teams and trucks on standby at the crossings.

On-the-Ground Observations and Immediate Impact

Following the ceasefire, immediate observations from central Gaza showed thousands of people on the main roads linking the north and south of the territory. These individuals were seen carrying items and traveling north, returning to areas from which they had been displaced. This marks a reversal of the trend over the past few weeks, where hundreds of thousands had moved south seeking safety.

Correspondent Rushi Abu reported that residents in northern and western Gaza City were "stunned" by the withdrawal of Israeli forces from several neighborhoods. Upon entering areas like Shik Radwan, Alcarama, and beach camp, people discovered "entire residential blocks flattened, hundreds of homes and much of the area's infrastructure destroyed." While Israeli forces have withdrawn from parts of the territory, they reportedly "still maintain control of 50% of the territory." These scenes represent some of the first glimpses of people returning to northern Gaza, particularly Gaza City, after Israel's ground offensive. The ceasefire came into effect approximately 40 minutes prior to this report.

Conclusion

The ceasefire in Gaza represents a significant, albeit complex, development aimed at ending hostilities, facilitating hostage and prisoner exchanges, and enabling critical humanitarian aid. While international mediation has been pivotal in securing the agreement, the on-the-ground reality reveals immense destruction and ongoing challenges for aid delivery and the safe return of displaced populations. The success of this ceasefire hinges on the sustained commitment to its terms, particularly regarding unrestricted humanitarian access and the complete cessation of aggression, as well as the daunting task of rebuilding and recovery in devastated areas.