The Israeli military said Friday that the ceasefire agreement with Hamas came into effect at noon local time, and that troops are withdrawing to the agreed-upon deployment lines.

The announcement comes after Palestinians reported heavy shelling Friday morning in northern Gaza.

Some residents returned to shattered neighbourhoods amid confusion over when hostilities will be suspended after two years of warfare.

“Thank God my house is still standing,” said Ismail Zayda, 40, in the Sheikh Radwan area in Gaza City. “But the place is destroyed, my neighbours’ houses are destroyed, entire districts have gone.”

“Is it over? They said it is. Why does no one come out and tell us whether there is a ceasefire and we can stop being afraid?”

Israel’s government ratified the ceasefire with Hamas in

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