WADI GAZA, Gaza Strip — A fragile but highly anticipated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect Friday at noon local time, marking a pivotal moment in efforts to end a two-year war that has killed tens of thousands, devastated Gaza, and destabilized the broader Middle East.
The Israeli military confirmed the ceasefire’s implementation just hours after Israel’s Cabinet approved a deal to pause hostilities and exchange the remaining hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Within minutes of the announcement, tens of thousands of Palestinians began moving north from Wadi Gaza, where they had gathered in anticipation of the truce.
While heavy shelling was reported across parts of Gaza earlier Friday morning, bombardments subsided following the ceasefire’s activation. Israeli Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said troops had repositioned by Friday afternoon, completing a withdrawal to new deployment lines, which will see Israel control roughly 50 per cent of Gaza during the truce.
The agreement, part of a broader U.S.-backed plan spearheaded by President Donald Trump, is intended to be the first phase of a multi-step process to end hostilities. Under the deal, all 48 remaining hostages in Gaza — about 20 believed to be alive — are expected to be released. In exchange, Israel will free approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. A list released by Israeli authorities notably excluded high-profile figures such as Marwan Barghouti, whom Israel has long refused to release.
Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya declared the agreement “an end to the war and aggression against our people,” saying all women and children in Israeli jails will be freed. Hostage and prisoner exchanges are expected to begin early next week, potentially as soon as Sunday night.
The deal also includes the reopening of five border crossings, including Rafah, to allow urgently needed humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza. The United Nations says 170,000 metric tons of medicine, food, and other supplies are ready for transport once the crossings reopen. Parts of Gaza are currently experiencing famine conditions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the ceasefire is only the beginning of a larger process, warning that Hamas must disarm and Gaza must be demilitarized. “If this is achieved the easy way — so be it. If not — it will be achieved the hard way,” he said.
The Trump plan calls for Israel to maintain a military presence along Gaza’s border while an international security force, composed primarily of troops from Arab and Muslim nations, oversees internal security. About 200 U.S. troops will be deployed to Israel as part of a multinational team to support and monitor the deal.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 170,000 injured, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, with women and children making up roughly half of the fatalities.
The ceasefire represents the most concrete step toward peace since the war’s outbreak. However, major questions remain about Hamas’s future, the governance of Gaza, and the broader political roadmap. The Trump plan offers only vague references to a future Palestinian state — something Netanyahu opposes — while proposing reforms to the Palestinian Authority before it plays any role in Gaza.
For now, the guns have fallen silent, offering a rare moment of hope in a conflict that has reshaped the region and scarred millions. Whether this truce becomes the foundation for lasting peace remains uncertain.