Overview
- Israeli forces repositioned to agreed lines on Friday as officials said the army will retain control over roughly 53% of the territory during the initial phase.
- Mass returns of displaced residents began across the strip, with Gaza Civil Defence reporting large movements north, while the IDF warned several areas remain extremely dangerous.
- Under the deal, 48 hostages or remains are due to be returned to Israel within 72 hours in exchange for 250 security prisoners and 1,700 Gaza detainees, with high-profile figures such as Marwan Barghouti not on the lists published so far.
- About 200 U.S. personnel are deploying to supervise and observe implementation alongside regional partners, and CENTCOM chief Brad Cooper said no American troops will enter Gaza.
- Phase-two talks on Hamas disarmament and further Israeli withdrawals are slated to begin, though a Hamas official said disarmament is out of the question and the movement will not attend a formal signing.