The Israeli military said Thursday that it has begun preparing to withdraw troops from Gaza after Hamas and Israel reached an agreement to end the two-year-old war.

"Following the political echelon's instructions and due to situational assessment, the IDF has begun operational preparations ahead of the implementation of the agreement," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.

"As part of this process, preparations and a combat protocol are underway to transition to adjusted deployment lines soon."

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday night announced that the militant organization Hamas and Israel had agreed to a first phase of a deal to end the war, reportedly including the Israeli military withdrawal from the Palestinian enclave and the exchange of hostages and prisoners by b

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