Live Updates: The Ceasefire in Gaza Takes Effect
The long-awaited pause in Gaza’s two-year conflict began as Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire, with Israeli forces gradually pulling back and aid shipments ready to resume. Thousands of displaced Palestinians moved toward their homes, hopeful that relief and a fragile calm might finally reduce the destruction that has defined the past months.
People Return Amid Rubble and Hope
Across Gaza, displaced residents stepped back toward areas once familiar, now marked by rubble and loss. “As soon as we heard the news of the truce and ceasefire, we were very happy and got ready to go back to Gaza City, to our homes. Of course there are no homes – they’ve been destroyed,” said Mahdi Saqla, reflecting a shared mix of relief and tragedy. In Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan district, residents spoke of shattered neighborhoods, but also of the chance to reunite with what remains of their lives.
In southern neighborhoods such as Khan Younis and central camps like Nusseirat, soldiers were seen withdrawing from some outposts, though gunfire and shelling were still reported in the fast-changing frontline landscape. The mood among civilians was cautious: not every road was safe, and many headed back with the knowledge that a ceasefire is a fragile state that must be preserved by all sides.
Humanitarian Corridors: Aid, Shelter, and Medical Supplies
On the humanitarian front, reports indicate that hundreds of aid convoys are planned to enter Gaza to alleviate chronic shortages. Israel reportedly approved the entry of up to 600 aid trucks per day, moving from the south to the north through key corridors. Aid will be distributed by the United Nations, international organizations, and partners in the private sector, bringing food, medical equipment, fuel, and shelter supplies to civilians in need.
UNICEF also highlighted a critical humanitarian moment, noting that it had evacuated newborns from a Gaza hospital to reunite them with parents in safer parts of the territory, a sign of both the urgency and fragility of life under siege. The world’s attention remains fixed on the wellbeing of children who have borne a disproportionate share of the conflict’s harms.
The Political Frame: Hostages, Prisoners, and International Involvement
The ceasefire hinges on a multi-layered exchange. Israel has stated that hostages held by Hamas would be released in the coming days, with Palestinian prisoners and detainees among those set for release. Israel’s cabinet formally approved the framework, signaling a path to winding down hostilities within 24 hours and setting the stage for the phased withdrawal of troops.
International actors, including the United States, have pledged monitoring and logistical support. Reports describe a U.S.-led civil-military coordination center that will oversee the flow of humanitarian aid and security coordination, underscoring the role of external facilitators in stabilizing a region long plagued by cycles of violence.
What Comes Next: The Road to Stability
Even as ceasefire lines take shape, questions linger about governance in Gaza, security arrangements, and long-term reconstruction. The plan envisions an international security framework along the border and a substantial reconstruction push funded by global partners. Palestinian self-determination, governance reforms, and a viable path to a future Palestinian state remain central to ongoing negotiations, with leaders urging restraint and sustained humanitarian access as the ceasefire bedrocks a new phase of engagement.
On-the-Ground Sentiment: A Mixed Calm
Residents voiced relief that the worst of the bombardment might be easing, but many warned against over-optimism. “Thank God my house is still standing,” one resident remarked, “but the place is destroyed.” The coming days will test whether the ceasefire becomes a durable pause or a fragile break in the fighting. International observers emphasize the need for accountability, continued humanitarian access, and careful coordination to prevent a relapse into conflict.
The world watches as displaced families return to a devastated landscape, hopeful for safety, shelter, and a future that can be rebuilt.
