Israeli troops have withdrawn from parts of Gaza and taken up positions behind the lines agreed in a ceasefire with Hamas, allowing thousands of Palestinians to return to areas devastated by two years of war.

The withdrawal clears the way for an urgent effort to supply food and medical supplies to the territory, with the United Nations pledging “truckloads every day” in the hope of feeding more than two million people.

US President Donald Trump is preparing to fly to Egypt and Israel within days to mark the ceasefire and welcome Israeli hostages that must be released by Hamas by Monday under the terms of the peace deal.

The Israel Defence Forces said the withdrawal began at noon on Friday in Gaza (8pm AEST) – a key development that showed it was acting on the terms of the peace agreemen

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