Gaza's civil defence agency said that approximately 200,000 people have returned to the north of the territory since a ceasefire took effect on Friday.

"Approximately 200,000 people returned to northern Gaza today," said Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the agency, a rescue force operating under Hamas authority.

After two years of brutal war, the families of Israel's remaining hostages in the territory were also hoping the truce -- pushed by US President Donald Trump -- would hold.

The Israeli military said its troops had ceased fire at noon (0900 GMT) "in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages".

Three hours later, the US Pentagon confirmed Israel had completed the first phase of a pullback laid out in Trump's peace plan. Israeli forces still hold around 53 perc

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