A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday, October 10, 2025, marking a major shift in the two-year-long Gaza conflict. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it had partially withdrawn troops from parts of Gaza, though it continues to occupy around half of the territory.
Footage from the Strip showed thousands of displaced Palestinians journeying north — many on foot — to areas previously devastated by months of heavy bombardment.
First Phase of Ceasefire and Hostage Deal
The truce follows Israel’s approval of the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire and hostage-return deal, with further stages still under negotiation. Under the agreement:
- Hamas must release all Israeli hostages — including 20 believed to be alive and up to 28 remains — by Monday, October 13.
- Israel will release about 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
- Aid convoys will be allowed unrestricted access to Gaza, with 600 lorries of supplies expected daily.
The deal also involves monitoring by 200 US troops stationed in the region.
Humanitarian Crisis and Return of Civilians
The ceasefire comes amid dire humanitarian conditions. In August, UN-backed experts declared a famine in parts of Gaza, warning that over 500,000 people faced catastrophic starvation.
As Israeli troops withdrew from parts of Gaza City and Khan Younis, thousands of Palestinians began returning north. Many travelled more than 20km on foot, carrying their few remaining possessions.
“The road is long and difficult — there’s no food or water,” said Alaa Saleh, a teacher making the journey with his family.
Hamas officials said around 200,000 people returned to northern Gaza on Friday. However, much of Gaza City remains in ruins, with entire neighbourhoods flattened and bodies still being recovered from the rubble.
Political and Security Reactions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the partial withdrawal part of his commitment to “bring back all hostages,” while maintaining that Hamas remains surrounded. He said future stages of Trump’s plan would see Gaza demilitarised and Hamas disarmed — though Hamas has not agreed to those terms.
Hamas, meanwhile, rejected any “foreign guardianship” of Gaza, insisting its governance is a purely Palestinian matter.
Trump’s 20-point peace plan proposes that Gaza be governed temporarily by a Palestinian technocratic body under a “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump and including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, before eventual transfer to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
War Toll and Continuing Tensions
The war, which began after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, has claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives, including more than 18,000 children, according to Gaza’s health ministry. About 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 taken hostage in the initial attack.
An UN inquiry has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, a charge the Israeli government has vehemently denied, calling it “distorted and false.”
As Gaza struggles to recover, both sides — and the international community — face the challenge of turning this temporary truce into a sustainable path toward peace.
