In a significant development, Israel announced a ceasefire in Gaza on Friday, initiating the withdrawal of its troops after two years of intense conflict. The truce, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, aims to facilitate the release of remaining Israeli hostages held in the Palestinian territory. The Israeli military confirmed the cessation of hostilities at noon (0900 GMT), marking the first step toward implementing the ceasefire agreement. Shortly after, the U.S. Pentagon announced that Israel had completed the initial phase of its troop pullback, as outlined in Trump’s peace plan. Despite the withdrawal, Israeli forces still control approximately 53% of Gaza. The ceasefire sets a 72-hour deadline for Hamas to release the hostages, while Israel has published a list of 250 Palestinian prisoners it plans to free, alongside 1,700 Gazans detained since the conflict escalated in October 2023. As the truce took effect, thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning to their devastated homes, many of which lie in ruins after years of bombardment. The EU mission at the Rafah border crossing announced plans to reopen a pedestrian route on October 14, further easing the humanitarian crisis. Under the agreement, Hamas is expected to hand over 47 hostages—both living and deceased—from the 251 abducted two years ago, along with the remains of another hostage held since 2014. While celebrations erupted in Israel and Gaza, unresolved issues, including Hamas’s disarmament and the proposed transitional authority for Gaza, remain contentious. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan rejected the transitional authority, emphasizing the group’s resistance to external governance. Meanwhile, Trump indicated that Hamas’s disarmament would be addressed in the second phase of the peace plan. As Israeli troops withdrew from key areas like Tel al-Hawa and Al-Shati camps in Gaza City, residents expressed a mix of joy and grief. Areej Abu Saadaeh, a mother who lost two children in the conflict, reflected the bittersweet sentiment: ‘I’m happy about the truce and peace, even though I grieve deeply for my children. Yet, returning to our homes brings joy.’