A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect in the Gaza Strip on Thursday following marathon mediation efforts to end a two-year deadly war in the Palestinian enclave.
Israel's public broadcaster KAN confirmed that the ceasefire deal took effect in the enclave.
Israel approves plan for ceasefire
Where things stand
• Ceasefire in effect: The Israeli military said a ceasefire is now in effect in Gaza, as its forces pull back in accordance with the deal approved by the government overnight.
• US role: The US is sending 200 troops to the Middle East to monitor the plan’s implementation alongside soldiers from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the UAE, a senior official said. “No US troops are intended to go into Gaza,” another official said.
• What’s in the deal: The release of all hostages, Israeli military withdrawal to an agreed point and the release of some Palestinian prisoners. Hamas said a “formal declaration” ending the war must be made before hostages are released.Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called on those involved in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations to ensure that the remains of all deceased hostages are returned to Israel.
Some 26 of the 48 hostages still held in Gaza are presumed dead. On Wednesday, three Israeli sources told CNN that the Israeli government has assessed that Hamas may not know the location of, or is unable to retrieve, the remains of some of the remaining deceased hostages.
“The headquarters call upon everyone involved in the agreement to ensure that returning all the deceased hostages for proper burial in Israel will be at the forefront of negotiations, and will be a condition for the full implementation of the side by all parties,” it said, adding that the current agreement does not go as far as it should to guarantee the return of the deceased.
Details shortly