Jerusalem, Oct 9 (UNI) The Israeli military is set to begin a phased withdrawal from the Gaza Strip after the Knesset officially ratifies the ceasefire agreement reached with Hamas later this evening, as per Israeli officials.
Within 24 hours of the ratification, the IDF is expected to pull back to pre-agreed deployment lines - retaining control over approximately 53% of Gaza's territory — primarily in less densely populated zones, reports Jerusalem Post.
This partial withdrawal will lead to the creation of a security buffer zone for Jerusalem, leaving the IDF troops along the entire Gaza border in possession of the Philadelphi Corridor on the Egypt-Gaza frontier, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya in the north, an eastern ridge overlooking Gaza City, along with substantial parts of Rafah and Khan Younis in the south.
Following the repositioning, Hamas will have 72 hours to fulfil its commitments under the ceasefire by releasing the 48 hostages it is currently holding.
The IDF said that it is prepared for the simultaneous release of all 20 living hostages, though mediators have cautioned that the prisoner exchange could face several delays amid the uncertainty of their precise locations due to the heavy destruction of the Strip.
Under the terms of the arrangement, Hamas will transfer the living hostages directly to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), without any formal ceremony.
The ICRC will then escort them to IDF troops stationed inside Gaza, who will oversee their safe passage to Israel's Re'im military base, near the border where they will undergo physical and psychological evaluations, with family members expected to be present for reunions.
Those requiring urgent care will be airlifted directly to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, bypassing the base. From there, others will be transported to hospitals in central Israel for further treatment and family reunification. For the bodies of slain hostages, the IDF will conduct a brief military ceremony inside Gaza, led by a military rabbi.
Before repatriation, all caskets will be examined by sappers "for security purposes," confirmed IDF officials.
The caskets with civilian hostages will then be taken to the Abu Kabir forensic institute for identification, which may take up to two days. The bodies of slain soldiers will be taken to the IDF's Shura Camp for identification.
UNI ANV RN