TEL AVIV, Oct 10 (The African Portal) – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that a ceasefire has officially been effect in Gaza since midday, local time (0900 GMT) after troops withdrew to pre-agreed positions.
“Since 12:00, IDF troops began positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages.”
The updated deployment line has been referred to as the “yellow line,” after its color in the plan for the future of Gaza proposed by US President Trump.
According to the ceasefire agreement, the Palestinian group Hamas now has 72 hours to release all remaining living hostages — of which there are believed to be 20.
In return, Israel has agreed to release 250 Palestinian prisoners currently serving life sentences.
On Friday, Israeli army radio reported that, following “last-minute” changes, 11 of those would now be Hamas-affiliated prisoners rather than detainees linked to Fatah, as previously planned.
Red Cross: Hostage and prisoner releases must be handled with ‘dignity’
The release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners called for in the Gaza ceasefire agreement should be carried out “safely and with dignity,” the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Friday.
“The coming days are critical,” said ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric in a statement, urging all parties to stick to their commitments.
“Release operations must be carried out safely and with dignity,” she continued, while also calling for humanitarian assistance to “resume urgently at full capacity and be delivered to people safely wherever they are.”
Turkey prepared to deploy troops for Gaza taskforce
Turkey is prepared to deploy troops to take part in any peacekeeping mission in Gaza, according to a government official.
“Our Turkish armed forces, with their experience in establishing and maintaining peace, are ready for any task entrusted to them,” a Defense Ministry source in Ankara told the AFP news agency.
Turkey — along with Egypt and Qatar — has played a key role in mediating negotiations between Israeland Hamas. Turkey also dispatched a team to talks in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, where the first phase of a ceasefire deal was agreed.
On Thursday, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that “a team consisting of the United States, Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar will play a facilitating role in following up on [the] agreed-upon points [in the peace plan], and will discuss the issues with both sides.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday said Turkey would participate in a “task force” to oversee the implementation of the ceasefire deal, but did not elaborate further.
Credit: DW
