Ceasefire Holds in Gaza as 72-Hour Hostage Clock Ticks

The guns have gone quiet in Gaza, at least for now. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect at midday Friday local time, the opening move in a deal that ties military de-escalation to the release of remaining Israeli hostages. Israeli forces have pulled back to agreed lines and paused most offensive operations. Tens of thousands of Palestinians used the lull to move north toward shattered neighborhoods.

The core of the deal is simple and ruthless. Hamas has seventy-two hours to release all remaining hostages. Israeli assessments cited by international outlets say forty-eight captives are still in Gaza, about twenty believed alive. The Red Cross is helping coordinate transfers under the timeline.

On the Israeli side, the e

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