Israelis and Palestinians broke into celebration on Thursday following the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal, marking the first major step under U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace initiative to end the war in Gaza.
According to Egyptian state media, the truce officially took effect shortly after noon, following its signing in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, however, stated that the agreement would only be implemented once ratified by the Israeli cabinet, which was set to convene at 5:00 p.m. Around the same time, residents in Gaza reported a fresh round of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City.
Per the terms of the deal, hostilities will halt, Israel will begin a partial withdrawal from Gaza, and Hamas will release hostages captured in the attack that triggered the war — in an exchange expected to take place within Sunday and Monday for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
