"A 24-hour ceasefire in Gaza is in effect Friday, after a late-night vote by ministers in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to approve an initial deal with Hamas. With the ceasefire in place, Israeli troops began to reposition, withdrawing to an agreed line well within the borders of the Gaza Strip - a move that started the clock on a high-stakes, 72-hour timeline for Hamas to release hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel and a surge of aid, under the terms of the agreement's initial phase."
"The deal comes after weeks of diplomacy that gained momentum earlier this week in Egypt after months of deadlock. Egypt, Qatar and Turkey mediated negotiations in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner joined the talks just hours before the breakthrough was announced."
"Israel Defense Forces are set to withdraw from parts of Gaza - including most urban population centers - while retaining control of about half of the enclave. Witkoff said on social media that U.S. Central Command had confirmed the IDF's withdrawal to agreed lines and that the 72-hour period for Hamas to release the hostages has begun."
A 24-hour ceasefire in Gaza began after Israeli ministers approved an initial deal with Hamas, prompting Israeli troops to reposition and withdraw to agreed lines within Gaza. The agreement starts a 72-hour timeline for Hamas to release hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, detainees and a surge of humanitarian aid under the initial phase. Diplomatic mediation by Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, plus involvement from U.S. envoys, helped secure the breakthrough after weeks of deadlock. The initial phase implements portions of a broader framework, while many substantive points remain unresolved and require further negotiation.
Read at The Washington Post
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