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The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect at 12:00 pm local time, marking the end of more than two years of brutal war. The development brings the hostages one step closer to returning home.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said on Friday morning that US Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that Israel has completed the first phase of withdrawal and that a 72-hour period for Hamas to release the hostages has begun.
The Israeli government approved and signed the agreement overnight local time, triggering a 24-hour countdown during which troops were to return to pre-determined positions.
“Following instructions from the political arena and due to situational assessment, the IDF has begun operational preparations ahead of the implementation of the agreement. As part of this process, preparations for a soon transition to adjusted deployment lines and a combat protocol are underway. The IDF continues to be deployed in the area and is ready for any operational developments,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) wrote on X.
Trump peace deal triggers 72-hour countdown for Hamas to release 48 hostages from Gaza
Israeli soldiers stand above military vehicles on the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, October 10, 2025, after the Israeli government ratified an agreement with Hamas. (Shir Torem/Reuters)
Hours later, the IDF confirmed that the ceasefire had begun and that troops had deployed themselves “along the updated deployment lines”.
While Israel’s presence in Gaza has been reduced, the peace agreement states that it will still hold 53% of the enclave until the next phase.
IDF spokesman Colonel Avichai Adrai sent a statement in Arabic regarding the situation on the ground. He warned Palestinians against approaching IDF soldiers, as doing so “puts your life in danger.” Adrai also said that the northern part of the Gaza Strip is still “extremely dangerous”, especially Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya, Shejaiya and any other areas with “concentration of troops”. Other areas included in the warning were the Rafah Crossing and the Philadelphia Corridor.
“Do not move towards Israeli territory and do not go near the security zone. It is extremely dangerous to approach the security zone. For your safety, do not start going to these areas until you receive official approval,” Adraee said in his message.
Now that the IDF has completed its redeployment, Hamas has 72 hours to release all hostages, living and dead. These also include the bodies of American citizens Omar Neutra and Itay Chen.
Palestinians, who were displaced from the southern part of Gaza on Israeli orders during the war, make their way to Gaza City following their arrival after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into force in Gaza on October 10, 2025. (Ibrahim Hajjaj/Reuters)
World leaders hail US-brokered Israel-Hamas peace deal: ‘New horizon of hope’
The US is not deploying troops to Gaza; However, two US officials confirmed to Fox News that 200 troops from CENTCOM will be sent to Israel to help monitor the ceasefire. Officials said they would facilitate security and human flow and monitor implementation of the deal, including transportation, logistics and engineering.
President Donald Trump said at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday that he expected the hostages to come home on Monday or Tuesday. The President also announced that he would travel to the Middle East for the official signing of the agreement.
“We have secured the release of all the remaining hostages and they should be released on Monday or Tuesday,” Trump said. He said the day the hostages were returned would be “a day of joy.”
People walk past a poster of hostages taken by Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, Israel on October 10, 2025. (Ahmad Gharbali/AFP via Getty Images)
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On Wednesday, hours after the announcement that Israel and Hamas signed the first phase of the agreement, Trump spoke to family members of hostages in Gaza. The families thanked the President and praised him for securing a deal that will bring their loved ones home after more than two years in captivity.
