Gaza’s civil defence agency has said that Israeli forces have begun pulling back from parts of the territory, particularly in Gaza City and Khan Younis.
“Israeli forces have withdrawn from several areas in Gaza City,” a senior official with the agency said.
He added that Israeli military vehicles had also pulled out from sections of the southern city of Khan Younis.
It comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the government had “approved the framework” of a hostage release deal with Hamas, as both sides edged closer to ending more than two years of hostilities in Gaza.
Israel previously said “all parties” had signed the first phase of a ceasefire agreement, adding that Hamas freeing the captives would “bring the end to this war”.
The accord in Egypt follows a 20-point peace plan for Gaza announced last month by US President Donald Trump, who said he planned to leave on Sunday for the Middle East.
Egypt is planning an event to celebrate the conclusion of the deal, with Mr Trump also expected to stop in Israel and consider going to devastated Gaza.
The Israeli government had said the ceasefire was to take hold within 24 hours of meetings yesterday to approve the deal, under which the military should eventually withdraw from Gaza.
And in a statement early this morning, Mr Netanyahu’s office said the government had “approved the framework for the release of all the hostages – both the living and the deceased”.
Mr Netanyahu had faced pushback from his far-right allies, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir saying he would vote against the agreement, calling the plan to release thousands of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the 47 hostages remaining in Gaza “an unbearable heavy price”.
Despite celebrations in Israel and Gaza and a flood of messages from world leaders hailing the deal, numerous issues remain unsettled, including the plan’s call for Hamas to disarm and a proposed transitional authority for Gaza led by Mr Trump himself.
