A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas entered its first full day on Thursday, with thousands of displaced Palestinians seen returning to Gaza City amid cautious optimism. The agreement, brokered after days of intensive negotiations in Egypt, includes provisions for hostage releases and the phased withdrawal of Israeli troops to new defensive positions.
Humanitarian Crisis in Focus
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for immediate action to rebuild Gaza's shattered infrastructure, stating that "the scale of devastation demands urgent international cooperation." The UN and partner agencies are mobilizing aid convoys to deliver food, medical supplies, and temporary shelters to affected areas.
Military Redeployment Begins
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed it has started redeploying troops in line with the agreement, while maintaining defensive readiness. Satellite imagery analyzed by regional security experts shows movement of armored units away from densely populated areas.
Long Road to Recovery
As families navigated rubble-strewn streets to assess damaged homes, international donors began discussing reconstruction plans. Preliminary estimates suggest Gaza will need over $2 billion to restore basic services and critical infrastructure destroyed during the conflict.
