After two years, Palestinians make painful journey home through Gaza’s ruins | VIDEO

Nuseirat, Palestinian Territories: Israel announced a ceasefire in Gaza on Friday and began pulling back its forces, as tens of thousands of Palestinians started returning to their devastated homes after two years of brutal conflict.

Families of Israel’s remaining hostages also hoped the truce – brokered by US President Donald Trump – would last. Trump expressed confidence the ceasefire would "hold", telling reporters that Israel and Hamas were "all tired of the fighting".

The Israeli military said its troops had halted fire at noon (0900 GMT) "in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages".

Three hours later, the Pentagon confirmed Israel had completed the first phase of a pullback outlined in Trump’s peace plan, though Israeli forces still hold around 53 percent of Palestinian territory.

The withdrawal triggered a 72-hour deadline for Hamas to release the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Israel also published a list of 250 Palestinian prisoners it plans to release, alongside 1,700 Gazans detained since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Palestinians begin return amid debris and grief

Long columns of Palestinians, exhausted by two years of bombardment and famine warnings from the UN, moved north from Khan Yunis to their homes. Rescue workers retrieved dozens of bodies from debris following the ceasefire.

The EU mission at the Rafah border between Gaza and Egypt will reopen a pedestrian crossing on October 14, Italy announced.

Under the Trump-brokered ceasefire, Hamas is expected to hand over 47 remaining hostages – living and dead – from the 251 abducted on October 7 two years ago. The remains of one more hostage, held since 2014, are also to be returned.

Leaders of Britain, France and Germany urged the UN Security Council to support the plan. Trump confirmed he would meet "a lot of leaders" in Egypt on Monday to discuss Gaza’s future, expressing confidence the ceasefire could lead to wider Middle East peace.

Hamas, Islamic Jihad, PFLP highlight ‘setback’ for Israel

Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said they had achieved "a setback for (Israel’s) goals of displacement and uprooting".

"The negotiation process and the mechanism for implementing the agreement still require high national vigilance and close monitoring around the clock to ensure the success of this stage," they added.

"We will continue to work responsibly with the mediators to ensure that the occupation is bound to protect the rights of our people and end their suffering."

Gaza’s civil defence agency confirmed Israeli troops and armoured vehicles were pulling back from forward positions in Gaza City and Khan Yunis. Israel cautioned that some areas remain off-limits, advising Palestinians to avoid its forces while "adjusting operational positions in the Gaza Strip".

Returning Palestinians express grief and hope

Gaza civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said about 200,000 Palestinians had returned north since the ceasefire began.

"We're going back to our areas, full of wounds and sorrow, but we thank God for this situation," 32-year-old Ameer Abu Iyadeh told AFP in Khan Yunis.

"I just pray (my home) hasn't been destroyed... We only hope the war will end for good, so we'll never have to flee again," said Mohammed Mortaja, 39, as he headed to Gaza City.

Before dawn, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the government had approved a framework of the hostage-release deal.

"Citizens of Israel, two years ago, the Simhat Torah holiday became a day of national mourning," Netanyahu said. "This Simhat Torah, with God's help, will be a day of national joy, celebrating the return of all our brothers and sisters held hostage."

The family of Alon Ohel, among the 20 living hostages to be released, said they were "overwhelmed with emotion" and eagerly awaiting his return. "With tears of joy, we received the news that an agreement has been reached," they added.

Truce brings joy amid unresolved issues

Despite celebrations and messages from world leaders, unresolved issues remain, including Hamas’ disarmament and a proposed transitional authority for Gaza led by Trump. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Al Araby that the movement rejects the transitional authority.

Residents across Gaza reported seeing the Israeli military withdraw from positions it held on Thursday.

Areej Abu Saadaeh, 53, who was displaced early in the conflict, was returning home through piles of rubble and cement dust.

"I'm happy about the truce and peace, even though I'm a mother of a son and a daughter who were killed and I grieve for them deeply. Yet, the truce also brings joy: returning to our homes," she said.