“IDF troops in the Southern Command are deployed in the area and will continue to operate to eliminate any immediate threat,” it said.
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The announcement came after Palestinians reported heavy shelling early on Friday in Gaza, the morning after Netanyahu and cabinet ministers approved the peace plan brokered by Trump and his envoys.
US officials said the US would deploy 200 troops as part of a joint task force to ensure stability – but they said no Americans would enter Gaza.
The officials, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, said the 200 would be the core of a task force that would include representatives from Egypt’s military, Qatar, Turkey and probably the United Arab Emirates.
In a sign that fighting continued until the deadline began, the IDF said a Hamas sniper killed a reservist, Michael Mordechai Nachmani, 26, in an attack in Gaza City on Thursday afternoon – after the ceasefire terms were agreed but before they came into effect.
Also on Thursday, the IDF launched a strike against an area in northern Gaza where it said Hamas posed an immediate threat to Israeli troops.
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The ceasefire terms require Israel to withdraw its forces from much of Gaza, although unofficial statements suggest it will retain control over as much as 50 per cent of the territory.
Hamas has 72 hours from this withdrawal to return the hostages, alive and dead. This deadline is due to take effect at noon on Monday, or 8pm AEST.
If this takes place, Hamas expects Israel to release 250 Palestinian prisoners who are serving their sentences in Israel, as well as 1700 people from Gaza who have been detained during the war.
More to come
With Reuters and Associated Press
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