Israel to start partial Gaza withdrawal within 24 hours of ceasefire; captives returned within 72 hours

Mohamed Hatem , Thursday 9 Oct 2025

Israel will carry out a partial military withdrawal from Gaza within 24 hours of the ceasefire agreement coming into effect, with live captives held by Hamas expected to be returned within 72 hours of completing the first phase of the withdrawal, according to a political source cited by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

This picture shows Israeli army soldiers manning a position in the vicinity of the Jordanian Field Hospital in Gaza City. AFP

The source added that following the partial pullback, the United States is expected to issue a statement affirming the continuation of the agreed procedures.

Hamas has warned that the release of captives depends on a permanent end to Israel’s war on Gaza.

Israel reportedly does not have clear information on the exact timing of the captives’ return, though the process could begin before Sunday.

Israel expects a ceasefire in Gaza within 24 hours of today’s cabinet meeting approval, with its army redeploying along the “yellow line” to control about 53% of the Gaza Strip, a government spokesperson said.

The spokesperson described the moment as a “decisive point” in Israel's two-year war on Gaza, claiming that all of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s objectives have now been achieved. “We have made difficult decisions to reach this moment,” she added.

The final draft of the first phase of the plan, which includes the partial military withdrawal, was signed in Egypt earlier today.