A truce between Israel and Hamas officially kicked in at noon local time in Gaza, marking a significant shift after more than two years of conflict.
As part of the agreement, the Israel Defense Forces have begun repositioning their troops to predetermined deployment lines, though they retain presence in key parts of the territory.
The ceasefire opens a 72-hour window for Hamas to release hostages held in Gaza. Simultaneously, humanitarian aid is expected to flow more freely into the enclave.
While the pause halts active combat for now, both sides remain on alert — the deal’s durability hinges on compliance with the terms and progress in negotiations over future phases of the agreement.