Israel approves ceasefire as Israeli military begins withdrawal from Gaza

With the ceasefire taking effect, Israeli forces began withdrawing from the Gaza Strip toward what is being called the “yellow line”.

The Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the conclusion of a prisoner swap deal with Hamas, after it convened late Thursday – Friday following a cabinet session and the arrival of U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and their meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu’s office announced the government’s approval of a proposal to release all living hostages and the bodies of the dead from the Strip; the proposal was voted against by ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich and members of the Knesset from their parties.

In the final hours of Friday morning, Israeli forces carried out operations in Gaza City, specifically in the Shati refugee camp.

They began withdrawing toward the yellow line, according to the agreement between Hamas and Israel, which was mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar.

As part of the withdrawal, the Israeli army will be positioned at selected observation points.

A senior U.S. official said U.S. Central Command will send 200 troops to Israel to monitor and oversee implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, while a second senior U.S. official said there is “no intention to send any U.S. troops to Gaza.”

During the morning hours, air strikes were clearly observed at several sites on the outskirts of Gaza City, and a plume of smoke rose from one of the locations. The sound of machine-gun fire was also heard for several minutes.

The Hebrew site Walla said the withdrawal is “a sensitive and complex operation, and the Israeli army does not take risks.”

Last night Israeli forces struck a building in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City. According to reports from the Gaza Strip, two people were killed in the attack, and more than 70 people remain missing under the rubble.