10.10.2025
Tens of thousands of Palestinians began heading back to the north of the Gaza Strip on Friday as a US-brokered ceasefire came into effect in a deal that raised hopes for ending the Israel-Hamas war.
Questions remain over who will govern Gaza as Israeli troops pulled back and whether Hamas will disarm, as called for in US President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who unilaterally ended a previous ceasefire in March, hinted that Israel might renew its offensive if Hamas does not surrender its weapons.
The latest truce nevertheless marks a key step toward ending a ruinous two-year war that was triggered by the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.
The fighting has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and displaced around 90% of the Gaza population of some 2 million, often multiple times.
The military confirmed the start of the ceasefire on Friday morning and the remaining 48 hostages still being held by Hamas are to be released by Monday. Israel believes 20 of them are still alive.
Palestinians said heavy shelling in parts of Gaza earlier on Friday had mostly stopped after the military’s announcement.
Netanyahu said in a televised statement that the next stages would see Hamas disarm and Gaza demilitarised.
“If this is achieved the easy way — so be it. If not — it will be achieved the hard way,” Netanyahu said.
He added that Hamas agreed to the deal “only when it felt that the sword was on its neck — and it is still on its neck.”
The Israeli military has said it will continue to operate defensively from the roughly 50% of Gaza it still controls after pulling back to agreed-upon lines. Euronews
Palestinians returning to Gaza