Israeli troops have withdrawn from parts of Gaza and taken up positions behind agreed lines in the first stage of a ceasefire with Hamas, showing both sides have begun acting on the terms of the agreement after two years of war.

The Israel Defence Forces said the withdrawal began at noon on Friday in Gaza (8pm AEST) and warned that troops would act to eliminate any threats if there was a breakdown in the ceasefire.

Israeli soldiers drive a tank along the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Friday, October 10. Credit: AP

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy and key negotiator on the conflict, Steve Witkoff, confirmed the Israeli military had completed the first phase of withdrawal and that this formally commenced a 72-hour period for Hamas to release Israeli hosta

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