Hope and fear in Gaza as Israel begins partial pulloutpublished at 07:53 BST
Rushdi Abualouf
Gaza correspondent, reporting from Istanbul
The
mood in Gaza has quickly changed from celebration to unease, as Israeli forces
begin a partial withdrawal from parts of the territory following the
announcement of a ceasefire and prisoners-hostages exchange deal with Hamas.
Residents
tell the BBC that Israeli troops have pulled back from the north-western
outskirts of Gaza City and retreated eastward to the so-called “yellow line,”
in line with the agreed withdrawal map.
But armoured vehicles and tanks remain
stationed in several areas that were expected to be evacuated under the first
phase of the plan, including parts of Khan Younis in southern Gaza and along
the coastal road.
- As a reminder, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops are expected to withdraw to a line that will leave Israel in control of about 53% of the Strip within 24 hours of the Israeli cabinet approving the deal
Locals
say tanks near the coast fired shells early Friday to stop hundreds of
displaced people from using the Rashid Street to return to their homes in the
north.
“Looters
tried to ransack my barbershop. My neighbour who stayed in Gaza told me what
happened. I left early hoping to save my only source of income, but I
couldn’t – soldiers opened fire at us,” says Mohammed Imad al-Din, who fled with
his family to southern Gaza four weeks ago.
Despite
the ceasefire announcement, explosions and artillery fire could still be heard
in parts of northern and southern Gaza. Many residents say they are confused
about when the truce will formally take effect and when it will be safe to
return home.
The
partial withdrawal marks the first visible step toward implementing the deal
brokered by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United States under President Donald
Trump’s plan, which includes a phased Israeli pull out, the release of Israeli
hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and expanded humanitarian aid deliveries.
