Israel-Hamas ceasefire takes effect in Gaza as hostage release begins

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect at noon local time, marking the beginning of the end of a brutal war that has lasted for more than two years. This development also brings the hostages closer to their return home.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff said Friday morning that US Central Command (CENTCOM) had confirmed that Israel had completed the first phase of the withdrawal and that Hamas’ 72-hour deadline to release the hostages had begun.

The Israeli government approved and signed the agreement overnight local time, triggering a 24-hour countdown during which troops had to withdraw to a predetermined position.

“Following instructions from the political echelon and following assessment of the situation, the IDF has begun operational preparations ahead of the implementation of the agreement. As part of this process, preparations and combat protocol are underway to move to adjusted deployment lines in the near future. The IDF continues to be deployed in the area and is preparing for any operational developments,” the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) wrote on x.

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Israeli soldiers stand atop military vehicles on the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, October 10, 2025, after the Israeli government ratified a deal with Hamas. (Shir Torem/Reuters)

Hours later, the IDF confirmed that the ceasefire had begun and that troops had positioned themselves “along the updated deployment lines.”

While the Israeli presence has diminished in Gaza, the peace agreement stipulates that it will still occupy 53% of the enclave until the next phase.

IDF spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee sent a statement in Arabic regarding the exact situation on the ground. He warned Palestinians against any approach by IDF troops because it “endangers their lives.” Adraee also said that the northern part of the Gaza Strip is still “extremely dangerous”, particularly the areas of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya, Shejaiya and any other areas with a “concentration of troops”. Other areas included in the warning were the Rafah Crossing and the Philadelphia Corridor.

“Do not head towards Israeli territory or approach the security zone. Approaching the security zone is extremely dangerous. For your safety, do not start moving towards these areas until official approval has been granted,” Adraee said in her message.

Now that the IDF has completed its repositioning, Hamas has 72 hours to release all hostages, living and dead. This includes the bodies of American citizens Omer Neutra and Itay Chen.

Palestinians, who were moved to the southern part of Gaza on Israeli orders during the war, are heading towards Gaza City after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza took effect on October 10, 2025. (Ebrahim Hajjaj/Reuters)

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The United States does not deploy troops to Gaza; However, two US officials confirmed to Fox News that 200 CENTCOM troops would be sent to Israel to help oversee the ceasefire. They will facilitate security and humanitarian flows and monitor the implementation of the agreement, including transportation, logistics and engineering, the officials said.

President Donald Trump told a Cabinet meeting Thursday that he expected the hostages to be home 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 Monday or Tuesday,” Trump said, adding that the day the hostages return will be “a day of joy.”

People walk past posters of hostages held by the Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 10, 2025. (AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

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On Wednesday, hours after it was announced that Israel and Hamas had signed the first phase of the agreement, Trump spoke with family members of hostages held in Gaza. The families thanked the president and congratulated him for reaching a deal that would bring their loved ones home after more than two years in captivity.