The guns were silent in Gaza at midday today and a human tide of Palestinians flooded back to their homes.
A seemingly endless chain of refugees walked through the razed Strip after two years of almost unceasing bloodshed.
But in scenes that will sicken families of Israeli victims of Hamas, armed guards from the terror organisation were seen above ground patrolling the ruined streets.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) completed their partial withdrawal as agreed allowing the terrorists to emerge from their tunnels.
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It set the 72-hour timer ticking for the return of all the 48 Israeli hostages including 20 believed to still be alive as agreed under Donald Trump’s peace plan and in time for his arrival on Monday.
Last night, local news reported that they would be released on Sunday.
The US President is expected to give a historic speech at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem and meet those freed before travelling to Egypt for a summit on Gaza with world leaders.
Meanwhile, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, one of the architects of the peace plan, visited the Western Wall today with his wife Ivanka.
The Israeli military said the ceasefire agreement with Hamas came into effect at noon local time (10am BST) on October 10 and that troops are withdrawing to the agreed-upon deployment lines. Pictured: Palestinians who were displaced to the southern part of Gaza at Israel’s order during the war return to Gaza City
The deal leaves a power vacuum, raising urgent questions about who will govern Gaza once the fighting stops. Pictured: Israeli tanks arrive at a gathering site after withdrawing from the Gaza Strip
The US President Donald Trump (pictired) is expected to give a historic speech at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem
They placed their hands on the holy site before Mr Kushner told reporters: ‘There will be peace and lots of lives saved.’
Announcing the ceasefire had come into effect, IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin broke down, describing it as ‘an emotional moment for the people of Israel’.
Some 1,000 Israeli soldiers have died while over 60,000 Palestinians – both civilians and terrorists – have been killed according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Brigadier General Defrin said it was equally emotional ‘for the IDF troops and soldiers who have fought and acted over the past two years with courage, bravery, and out of a sense of mission and dedication’.
But in a fiery speech that highlighted the challenge for peace to hold, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned he will unleash the full force of the IDF if Hamas refuses to disarm.
‘Hamas agreed to the deal only when it felt the sword resting on its neck and it is still on its neck,’ he said.
‘Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza will be demilitarised. If this is achieved the easy way, so much the better.
‘And if not, it will be achieved the hard way.’
Palestinians walk through the ruins of a neighborhood in the aftermath of an Israeli operation, after Israel’s government ratified a ceasefire with Hamas, in Gaza City October 10
Some Palestinians walk on foot along Rashid Street, carrying the few belongings they manage to save, as they hope to go back to their homes after enduring harsh living conditions for months in Gaza City
He also dismissed claims the same deal had been on the table for a year, stating ‘Hamas never agreed to release all of our hostages while we remain deep inside the Strip’.
The IDF now remains in control of 53 per cent of Gaza as some 200 American soldiers from US Central Command were dispatched to Israel to oversee the transition of power.
No American boots will hit the ground in the Strip but they will coordinate and assist in bringing in humanitarian aid and the international peacekeeping force from Arab and Muslim nations.
Last night Israel’s Chargé D’affaires to the UK, Daniela Grudsky Ekstein, told the Daily Mail that after hostages are out, Hamas must ‘decommission their weapons and demilitarise fully’.
‘It is very important that other countries put pressure on the terrorists to do that,’ Ms Ekstein said.
‘Qatar and Egypt for example, as well as the UK, must do what they can to convince Hamas leaders to abide by the agreement.’
After Hamas is disarmed, a Board of Peace is due to be established to oversee its transition but the inclusion of Britain’s former prime minister Sir Tony Blair has drawn the ire of Palestinians due to his involvement in the Iraq War.
