Thousands gather in Tel Aviv to mark Gaza ceasefire

Reuters

On the evening of 11 October, thousands of Israelis gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv to mark the halt of fighting in the Gaza Strip and the implementation of the first phase of a U.S.-brokered peace agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The rally featured speeches by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and daughter Ivanka Trump. The crowd greeted Witkoff with cheers and chants of “Thank you, Trump!”

Under the terms of the agreement, Israeli forces have withdrawn from urban areas while retaining control over roughly half of the Gaza Strip. Hamas is expected to release hostages within 72 hours.

Once the hostages are freed, Israel will release 250 Palestinians who have served long prison sentences and 1,700 detainees captured during the conflict. So far, 26 hostages have been declared dead, and the fate of two others remains unknown.

Participants celebrated with joy and relief after two years of protests and unrest, showing their support for the ongoing peace process.

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