After nearly two years of war, a fragile 72-hour truce begins. The Israel Defense Forces withdraw and Hamas pledges to release 20 live hostages by Monday, along with the remains of most of the fallen. Netanyahu warns disarmament will come either by agreement—or by force. There are critics and doubters, but the national unites around hope that all hostages are returned to Israel.
At noon Friday, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect, marking a critical pause in Operation Swords of Iron. The IDF confirmed that its forces had repositioned to pre-agreed redeployment lines along the Gaza corridor, allowing humanitarian access under close monitoring while maintaining full readiness to resume combat if necessary. The IDF still holds 53% of Gaza.
“This is not the end of the war but a pause to achieve a sacred goal—bringing our people home,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a national address. “We have agreed to this pause for one reason only—to bring back our hostages. Hamas will be disarmed either the easy way, through agreement, or the hard way, by force.”
U.S. and Egyptian officials said the truce was holding and that a 72-hour countdown had begun for the implementation of the first phase of releases.
72 Hours to Release
According to the terms of the deal, Hamas must release 20 living Israeli hostages—mostly soldiers and several civilians—by Monday evening. The hostages are to be transferred to the International Committee of the Red Cross at several coordination points inside Gaza and then airlifted to Israeli medical facilities for initial treatment and reunification.
In addition, Hamas has agreed to hand over the bodies of at least a dozen Israeli hostages who were confirmed killed in captivity. Their remains will be delivered to Israel through the same Red Cross channels under forensic supervision.
An IDF official said the recovery of the fallen is “a national obligation equal to the return of the living.” He added, “Every one of our sons and daughters deserves to come home—alive or dead. We do not leave anyone behind.”
In return, Israel will release about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including roughly 250 serving life sentences for deadly terror attacks. These will be freed in coordinated batches as each stage of hostage transfers is verified.
“This is a painful price but one we must pay to bring our people home,” said a senior government source. “It honors both the living and the dead.”
Netanyahu and Trump: Strength with Caution
Prime Minister Netanyahu stressed that Israel’s overall war aims remain unchanged: “We will not rest until Hamas’s military infrastructure is dismantled and Gaza can never again be a base for terror.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who helped broker the ceasefire, called the agreement “a victory for strength and resolve.” Speaking from the White House, he said, “By Monday or Tuesday, hostages will be coming home. This is not surrender—it’s a demonstration that standing strong brings results.”
Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff said the United States will ensure “maximum verification pressure,” adding, “If Hamas plays games with the lists, the deal collapses instantly.”
Dissent from the Right
While much of the Israeli public greeted the news with quiet relief, hard-line factions voiced sharp opposition.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir blasted the agreement as “a surrender to terror,” arguing that freeing hundreds of convicted murderers “betrays the blood of our brothers and sisters.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the deal “an American dictate” and warned that his party could not remain in a government that “rewards Hamas after the massacre of our people.”
Jonathan Pollard, speaking in Jerusalem during Sukkot, condemned the ceasefire as “a sign of weakness.” “There’s always another alternative if you’re willing to stand up for yourself,” he said. “We’ve accepted a plan that leaves a vacuum in Gaza, and someone will fill it. This government is again allowing foreign pressure to dictate our security.”
Pollard warned that Israel’s leaders risked “inviting another disaster” by relying on outside pressure rather than national resolve.
Humanitarian Oversight and Fragile Calm
Aid convoys organized by the United Nations and the Egyptian Red Crescent began crossing into Gaza within hours of the truce. Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) confirmed that “all trucks are being thoroughly inspected” to prevent weapons or contraband.
“Humanitarian aid must reach civilians, not the terrorists who caused this disaster,” said an IDF spokesperson.
Throughout the border region, IDF troops remain on high alert, with drones and air patrols maintaining continuous surveillance. “We are holding fire but keeping our finger on the trigger,” said a commander in the Southern Command.
The Fate of the Fallen
The repatriation of the bodies of Israeli hostages marks one of the most emotionally charged aspects of the deal. Military rabbis and identification units are on standby to receive and confirm the remains before transferring them to families for burial.
Officials said some of the bodies had been held by Hamas since the early weeks of the war and may have been used as bargaining chips in negotiations. “For the families, even the recovery of remains brings closure,” said an officer involved in the coordination process. “It ends the uncertainty that has haunted them since October 7.”
A special memorial service is expected to be held next week at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem once identifications are complete.
Phase Two Unclear
This truce constitutes Phase One of the broader framework. The second phase—dealing with Hamas’s disarmament, long-term security control of Gaza, and humanitarian reconstruction—remains uncertain.
Netanyahu emphasized that “there will be no permanent ceasefire until Hamas is fully disarmed.” Trump added that “the next phase depends entirely on Hamas’s behavior. If they break faith, Israel has every right to finish the job.”
Israeli intelligence sources caution that internal divisions within Hamas could derail compliance. “We are ready to move from truce to combat in minutes if needed,” one senior officer said.
Waiting for Monday
As the 72-hour clock began, Israelis gathered in cities across the country, praying for the safe return of the living and mourning those who will come home draped in flags.
In Tel Aviv, thousands lit candles in Hostages Square, while in Jerusalem, families stood silently outside the Prime Minister’s Residence holding photographs of loved ones. “We are waiting,” said one father, his voice breaking. “Whether they return to our arms or to the nation’s embrace, they must come home.”
Grawe mistake!!! Also Mr. Trump’s denial of Judea and Samaria joining Israel ( as it should be!!)
Sinister and bad bad decision what brings all kinds of painful consecvences ; because this, judgement on American soil had begun already…
I’m mourning…