Jerusalem: In a historic turn after two years of relentless conflict, Israeli forces began withdrawing from parts of the Gaza Strip on Friday under a ceasefire agreement reached with Hamas. The deal, mediated with strong U.S. involvement, offers a fragile but long-awaited pause to one of the deadliest and most politically divisive wars in recent Middle Eastern history.

Across Gaza, residents cautiously emerged from shelters to witness the aftermath of months of bombardment. In Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan district, where Israeli tanks had maintained positions for weeks, shattered buildings and flattened streets testified to the war’s fury.

“Thank God my house is still standing,” said Ismail Zayda, 40, surveying the wreckage around him. “But my neighbours’ homes are gone. The whole area is

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