TEL AVIV, October 10. /TASS/. Last night, the Israeli army started to pull back its troops to deployment lines in Gaza as part of agreements with the radical Palestinian movement Hamas to release all hostages, The Times of Israel reported.

While part of the forces were completely withdrawn from the Palestinian enclave, some will remain at positions along the lines of deployment. In a number of areas, the pullback took place under the cover of artillery shelling and airstrikes, the newspaper wrote.

According to The Times of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is expected to complete the withdrawal by tonight, within 24 hours after Israel officially ratifying its accord with Hamas. Following that maneuver, Israel will retain control over 53% of the Palestinian enclave, mostly outside city neighborhoods, the newspaper added. The area under its control runs along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip and includes the Philadelphi Corridor between Egypt and the Palestinian enclave. In addition, Israeli troops will remain near the cities of Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun in the northern enclave and in some areas of Rafah and Khan Younis in the southern Gaza, The Times of Israel noted.

In the early hours of October 10, the Israeli premier’s office announced that the government had ratified "a deal to release all hostages, both living and dead."

US President Donald Trump announced on October 9 that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement on the first phase of a peace plan following talks in Egypt. According to him, all hostages are expected to be freed soon, while Israeli troops will be withdrawn to an agreed-upon line.

Israeli Government Spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian announced at a briefing on Thursday evening that a ceasefire in Gaza would take effect within 24 hours of the government’s ratification of the agreements. Israeli troops will then be withdrawn from central Gaza to an agreed-upon line in the enclave. Israel will maintain control of 53% of Gaza’s territory, Bedrosian noted. According to her, after that, "a 72-hour window" will open for the Israeli hostages to be returned, which is expected to happen by October 13.