Gaza, Palestine – During the night and Friday morning, the Israeli army began withdrawing its forces from inside the Gaza Strip to agreed deployment lines.
This is within the framework of the agreement concluded with Hamas to ensure the release of all hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
Some forces have been completely withdrawn from Gaza.
While other forces will remain stationed along the deployment lines.
The withdrawal took place under cover of artillery shelling and air strikes in some areas.
The Israeli army is expected to complete the withdrawal by Friday evening.
That is, within 24 hours of the Israeli government’s official ratification of the agreement with Hamas.
After completing the withdrawal, the Israeli army will remain in control of more than half of the Gaza Strip. They will control at a rate of about 53 percent.
Most of them are located outside urban areas.
These areas include a buffer zone along the border with Gaza. It includes the Philadelphia Corridor, the border between Egypt and Gaza. Additionally, it covers Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia in the far north of the Strip. Moreover, highlands on the eastern outskirts of Gaza City are included. Large parts of Rafah and Khan Yunis in the south of the Strip are also part of these areas.
A cautious calm prevailed in the Gaza Strip after the ceasefire agreement entered into force in the early hours of Friday morning.
Raid on Khan Yunis
In contrast, Palestinian media reported that Israel launched a raid on the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, an Israeli soldier was killed in the northern Gaza Strip.
The developments come after the head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Khalil al-Hayya, announced that the movement had received “guarantees from mediators and the American administration.” They all confirmed that the war had ended completely.
Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Badrasyan also stated that “the agreement will not enter into force until 24 hours after the government ratifies it.”
She explained that under the agreement, Hamas must “release all hostages, living and dead. This must happen within a maximum of 72 hours after the ceasefire enters into force.” This means by Monday.
