Thee IDF withdrawal to the "yellow line" on the agreed map being was completed on Friday noon, the military announced, triggering setting in motion the implementation of President Donald Trump's deal, brokered earlier this week. The first stage of the deal effectively began, with all hostages to be returned within 72 hours in a single batch. US President Donald Trump will arrive in the country on Monday for a brief visit, during which he is expected to address the Knesset plenum.
The ceasefire agreement entered into effect starting at noon. IDF forces positioned themselves on current deployment lines, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement framework and hostage return. Southern Command IDF forces are deployed in the area and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked President Donald Trump and said it would have not been possible without Israel's military and diplomatic pressure on Hamas. Netanyahu said the IDF will remain in Gaza to continue pressuring Hamas until it relinquishes its weapons.
The ministers, called for an urgent telephone vote, approved the revised terrorist release list. Among the opponents were National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister Amichai Eliyahu, Wasserlauf and Strock.
With the ceasefire taking effect, IDF Arabic spokesperson Col. Avihai Adraei issued clarifications to the Gaza population. "In accordance with the agreement, IDF forces continue to remain in various locations throughout the Strip. Avoid approaching IDF forces. Approaching the forces endangers you. You are warned that in the northern Strip it is extremely dangerous to approach the area of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya and Shujaiyya and all force concentrations. Do not move toward Israeli territory, and do not approach the buffer zone. Approaching the buffer zone is extremely dangerous."
The policing mechanisms of "Hamas Interior Security Ministry" announced they are preparing to deploy in areas from which the IDF began withdrawing in the Gaza Strip. The terror organization seeks to convey the message that they still maintain a hold in the Gaza Strip.
Bereaved families have petitioned the Supreme Court against the deal, claiming the government is "trading in our children's blood." The government is required to submit its response to the petition by 2:00 p.m. The Government will convene for discussion on phase 2 of the agreement.
