Title: Ceasefire Agreement in Gaza Takes Effect at Noon Local Time

TEL AVIV, Israel — A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas officially began at noon local time on Friday, according to the Israeli military. Troops are now withdrawing to designated deployment lines. This announcement followed the Israeli Cabinet's approval of President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan, which includes the release of remaining hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

Prior to the ceasefire taking effect, heavy shelling was reported in various parts of Gaza throughout the morning. Tens of thousands of Palestinians, who had gathered in Wadi Gaza, began moving north after the military's announcement. The Israeli Cabinet's approval is seen as a significant step toward ending a two-year conflict that has severely impacted the region.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a brief statement indicating that the Cabinet approved the “outline” of a deal to release hostages, but did not address other controversial aspects of the plan. An Israeli security official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation, stated that the military would maintain control over approximately 50% of Gaza in their new positions.

Despite the ceasefire announcement, residents in Gaza reported continued shelling. In the Nuseirat refugee camp, Mahmoud Sharkawy, who is sheltering there after being displaced from Gaza City, noted that artillery fire intensified in the early hours. “The shelling has significantly increased today,” Sharkawy said, mentioning low-flying military aircraft in the area. In northern Gaza, residents reported ongoing bombing, primarily from artillery.

Rami Mhanna, managing director of Shifa hospital, confirmed that shelling in southern and northern Gaza City persisted even after the Cabinet approved the ceasefire plan. “It is confusing; we have been hearing shelling all night despite the ceasefire news,” said Heba Garoun, who fled her home in eastern Gaza City after it was destroyed.

A senior Hamas official, Khalil al-Hayya, outlined key elements of the ceasefire deal in a speech on Thursday. He stated that Israel would release around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, open the border crossing with Egypt, allow humanitarian aid to flow, and withdraw its forces. Al-Hayya also mentioned that all women and children held in Israeli jails would be released. He did not provide specifics on the extent of the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Al-Hayya declared, “We declare today that we have reached an agreement to end the war and the aggression against our people.” He emphasized that Hamas and other Palestinian factions would now focus on achieving self-determination and establishing a Palestinian state.

To support and monitor the ceasefire, U.S. officials announced plans to send about 200 troops to Israel as part of an international team. These officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that U.S. Central Command would establish a “civil-military coordination center” in Israel to facilitate humanitarian aid and provide logistical and security assistance to the region.