GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) – The ceasefire in Gaza has successfully held for a second day, prompting tens of thousands of Palestinians to return to their neighborhoods while Israelis anticipate the release of remaining hostages. Mahmoud al-Shandoghli, a resident of Gaza City, expressed despair over the destruction, stating, "Gaza is completely destroyed. I have no idea where we should live or where to go," as bulldozers worked through the debris of two years of conflict. The scene included a boy climbing the wreckage to raise the Palestinian flag.
In Tel Aviv, Israelis responded with applause to U.S. President Donald Trump while some booed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a rally where U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, spoke. Witkoff addressed the hostages, saying, "To the hostages themselves, our brothers and sisters, you are coming home." This sentiment was echoed by Kushner, who confirmed that the Israeli military expects to free 48 hostages still in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be still alive. He also acknowledged the suffering in Gaza amidst the celebrations.
Approximately 200 U.S. troops have arrived in Israel to monitor the ceasefire and to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid. U.S. military’s Central Command head, Adm. Brad Cooper, affirmed that "this great effort will be achieved with no U.S. boots on the ground in Gaza." Their presence is part of a broader effort involving a peace summit co-chaired by Trump in Egypt, also attended by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Details of the ceasefire agreement include a stipulation requiring Hamas to share information regarding any hostages not released in the first 72 hours. In return, Israel is to provide details about deceased Palestinians from Gaza held in Israel. The process for sharing such information is facilitated by mediators and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), ensuring that all hostages are exhumed and released without publicity.
The ceasefire also mandates that Israel release around 250 Palestinians serving prison sentences and approximately 1,700 individuals seized from Gaza in the last two years without charges. The Israel Prison Service has prepared for these transfers to designated deportation facilities, awaiting political directives.
Humanitarian organizations are urging Israel to reopen more crossings to deliver aid to famine-stricken Gaza. A U.N. official indicated that Israel has approved expanded aid deliveries starting Sunday, with the World Food Program ready to restore 145 distribution points for food. Before Israel's lockdown on Gaza in March, food was distributed at 400 points.
Challenges remain regarding Gaza's future governance as Israeli troops gradually pull back. Prime Minister Netanyahu has hinted at a potential resumption of military action if Hamas does not disarm, as outlined in the ceasefire terms. As the situation stabilizes, the full extent of Gaza's destruction will become apparent, and the death toll is expected to increase as recovery efforts uncover more bodies.
Reports indicate that the Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza received 45 bodies pulled from the rubble, with many missing for days to weeks. Trump's initial 20-point plan includes provisions for an ongoing Israeli military presence in Gaza and the involvement of an international force for security purposes. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has called for U.N. Security Council authorization for such a force.
Following Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of around 250 individuals, Israel's military response has led to over 67,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The war has highlighted the gravity of the humanitarian crisis in the region while igniting global protests and allegations of genocide against Israel, which it vehemently denies.
