Residents gather in preparation for return to Gaza City when ceasefire starts officially
Despite the ceasefire taking effect, we cannot say for sure that the night was quite filled with tranquillity. Since the early hours of this morning a huge activation of Israeli drones – we can hear their sound right now.
On the ground, we can also observe that Israeli naval warships are very close to Gaza’s beach, stationed in order to prevent Palestinians from returning to Gaza City.
We saw earlier this morning crowds of Palestinians gathering near the closest point to the Netzarim Corridor waiting for the Israeli withdrawal, so they can get the chance to return to the city.
We have heard from eyewitnesses in Gaza City that the Israeli military has withdrawn from significant parts of the urban centres inside Gaza City and back to the yellow line that has been defined in the negotiations.
Now people are still waiting. They are asking when the Israeli military will completely withdraw from the area. But a series of explosions were heard overnight and before the implementation of the ceasefire.
As far as we understand, a residential building was struck in the Sabra neighbourhood and four Palestinians were killed and 40 others are still missing under the debris of that destroyed house.
A child sits atop belongings on a vehicle as Palestinians, who were displaced to the southern part of Gaza at Israel’s order during the war, attempt to return to the north
Israeli military carries out more attacks near Khan Younis
As we have been reporting, the Israeli military has continued its attacks on Gaza in the hours since Israel’s government ratified the first phase of its ceasefire with Hamas.
Our Al Jazeera Arabic colleagues now report that a short while ago Israeli forces carried out further rounds of shelling and heavy tank fire north of the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
Sounds of Israeli fighter jets a sign that Israel ‘not fully’ implementing ceasefire
Right now, as I talk to you, I can hear the hum of Israeli fighter jets over the vicinity of the Nuseirat refugee camp.
A sign that, until now, Israel has not fully implemented the first steps of the withdrawal of Israeli forces on the ground, so that aid can be safely and transparently allowed into the Strip, and reach designated UN warehouses that will be responsible for providing and delivering aid supplies to people in need.
Gaza death toll rises
At least 17 Palestinians have been killed and 71 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza in the past 24 hours, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed a total of 67,211 people and injured 169,961 since October 7, 2023, the ministry said.
