On Friday morning, reports surfaced of Gazans who had initially fled south now returning to their homes in the northern part of the Strip as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect. Despite this development, the IDF emphasized that the situation remains perilous, urging residents to stay in the southern areas of Gaza.
IDF’s Arabic language spokesman, Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, conveyed on X (formerly Twitter), “The war is ongoing. The humanitarian pause is only temporary. The northern Gaza Strip is still a hazardous war zone, and moving north is strictly prohibited. For your safety, it is crucial to remain in the designated humanitarian zone in the south.”
Ceasefire comes into effect
The IDF finalized preparations for the ceasefire, adequate from 7 a.m. on Friday, and eliminated tunnels along with their entry points at Shifa Hospital, according to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.
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Throughout the day leading up to the ceasefire, the IDF continued its operations in Gaza.
As part of an agreement facilitated with the assistance of Qatar and the US, approximately 13 hostages currently held by Hamas are set to be released at 4 p.m. on Friday. In return, Israel is anticipated to release 150 Palestinian prisoners, predominantly consisting of female and child prisoners who are either held or convicted on terror charges.
