As Israeli troops began pulling back from Gaza under the newly brokered ceasefire, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning, the war would resume if Hamas is not disarmed.
From Friday noon, the ceasefire came into effect, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirming repositioning of troops along new lines. &ldquo;Since 12:00, IDF troops began positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages,&rdquo; the IDF said on X.&nbsp;Tens of thousands of Gazans poured back into their devastated neighbourhoods as calm returned to parts of the Strip. Gaza civil defence reported nearly 200,000 people had returned home within hours of the truce.
Netanyahu, however, remained firm in his message to Hamas. &ldquo;Hamas will be disarmed, and Gaza will be demilitarized. If this is achieved the easy way, great. And if not, it will be achieved the hard way,&rdquo; he declared in a video statement.&nbsp;The ceasefire, brokered by US President Donald Trump, brought cautious optimism after two years of relentless conflict. Trump expressed hope that the truce would &ldquo;hold,&rdquo; saying both sides were &ldquo;tired of the fighting.&rdquo;
As part of the agreement, Hamas will release 47 remaining hostages, both living and deceased, from those taken during the October 7, 2023 attack. In exchange, Israel will free 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gazans detained since the conflict began.&ldquo;This Simhat Torah, with God&rsquo;s help, will be a day of national joy, celebrating the return of all our brothers and sisters held hostage,&rdquo; Netanyahu said, calling it a symbolic moment of healing after years of war.

Netanyahu warns Hamas amid fragile Gaza truce

PM vows Hamas disarmament “one way or another” as ceasefire brings Gazans home

Netanyahu warns Hamas amid fragile Gaza truce

PM vows Hamas disarmament “one way or another” as ceasefire brings Gazans home

October 11, 2025 | 10:41 IST