Hamas is no longer the militant group whose invasion of Israel triggered the two-year war in the Gaza Strip, an Israeli military spokesperson says at the start of a ceasefire in the enclave.

"Hamas is not the Hamas of two years ago. Hamas has been defeated every place we fought them," Brigadier General Effie Defrin told reporters at a briefing.

He urged Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip to avoid entering areas under control by the Israel Defence Forces in the enclave.

"I am calling from here on the residents of Gaza to avoid entering areas under IDF control. Keep to the agreement and ensure your safety," he said.

Thousands of displaced Palestinians began flocking towards their abandoned homes after a US-brokered ceasefire took effect on Friday and Israeli troops began pulling bac

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