Gaza ceasefire takes effect as Netanyahu stresses Hamas disarmament

As Israeli forces began withdrawing from Gaza and tens of thousands of Palestinians started returning to their homes following a US-brokered ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark warning that the conflict could resume if Hamas is not fully disarmed.

“Hamas will be disarmed, and Gaza will be demilitarized. If this is achieved the easy way, great. And if not, it will be achieved the hard way,” Netanyahu said in a video message on Friday.

Ceasefire begins
The ceasefire came into effect at noon on Friday. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops had started repositioning along updated deployment lines in preparation for the truce and the return of hostages. “IDF troops in the Southern Command are deployed in the area and will continue to remove any immediate threat,” the military said on X (formerly Twitter).

While Israeli forces still control 53% of Palestinian territory, the Pentagon confirmed that Israel had completed the first phase of demilitarization. US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the truce would hold, noting that both Israel and Hamas were “tired of the fighting.”

Palestinians displaced by two years of war began returning to their neighborhoods, with rescue workers retrieving bodies from rubble in areas hit hardest by the conflict. Gaza civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal estimated that around 200,000 people had returned to northern Gaza since the ceasefire took effect.

Italy announced that the EU mission at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt would reopen a pedestrian crossing on October 14. However, Israel cautioned that some areas remain off-limits and urged Palestinians to avoid military zones while troops adjust their positions.

Hostage release
As part of the peace agreement, Hamas is set to release 47 remaining hostages—both living and deceased—from the 251 abducted during the October 7 attack two years ago. The remains of one additional hostage held since 2014 are also expected to be returned.

Israel has also published the list of 250 Palestinian prisoners it plans to release, along with 1,700 Gazans detained since October 7, 2023.

Netanyahu said the return of hostages would be a moment of national celebration. “Citizens of Israel, two years ago, the Simhat Torah holiday became a day of national mourning,” he said. “This Simhat Torah, with God’s help, will be a day of national joy, celebrating the return of all our brothers and sisters held hostage.”