The agreed ceasefire has come into effect in the Middle East. Israeli soldiers are withdrawing from Gaza. The 72-hour deadline for the release of the hostages has begun.
The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as stipulated in US President Donald Trump's Gaza Plan, has come into effect, according to the Israeli army."Since 12 noon (local time, 11 a.m. CEST), army troops have begun positioning themselves along the updated operational lines in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of the hostages," the armed forces said.
According to Israeli media reports, troop movements out of the Gaza Strip and towards the demarcation lines in the buffer zones on the edge of the area had already begun during the night.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that troops would remain in Gaza to put pressure on Hamas to disarm.
The ceasefire also begins an agreed-upon 72-hour period for the release of live hostages kidnapped from Israel on October 7, 2023. According to Israeli sources, there are still 48 hostages in the Gaza Strip, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. In return, Israel will release more than 2,000 Palestinians, including 250 life-sentenced prisoners. Netanyahu said Friday morning that all hostages would return home.
Situation on site still unclear
The situation on the ground remains unclear. In Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, some Israeli troops withdrew from the eastern area near the border, but residents reported hearing tank fire.
AFP footage showed thousands of people from the south of the Gaza Strip making their way north along a coastal road. The Israeli military announced in an Arabic statement the reopening of Rashid Road and Salah Al-Din Road, the main road connecting the north and south of the Palestinian Territories.
However, the armed forces warned residents not to approach Israeli soldiers. Several parts of the Gaza Strip remain"extremely dangerous," the Israeli army emphasized. In particular, the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, the so-called Philadelphia Corridor near the border, and the areas of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiyah, and Shejayah should be avoided.
In the Nusseirat refugee camp in the center of the coastal region, some Israeli soldiers dismantled their positions, but other troops remained in the area.
Trump plans to travel to the region this weekend
US President Trump plans to depart for the Middle East on Sunday. It is still unclear exactly when and where he intends to be. The White House announced that the US would deploy 200 troops as part of an international task force to ensure stability in Gaza. However, US troops would not be deployed in the Gaza Strip itself, two senior US government officials said.
The soldiers will form the core of a task force including representatives from the armed forces of Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and likely the United Arab Emirates. The location of the task force is not yet clear.
Germany supports but does not send soldiers
German Foreign Minister Wadephul announced that Germany would participate in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. Around 30 million euros have been earmarked for humanitarian aid alone, the CDU politician said on the Tagesthemen program. Germany will also jointly host a reconstruction conference in Cairo with Egypt.
Wadephul ruled out the possibility of the Bundeswehr participating in a peacekeeping force for the Palestinian territories.
