"People in Gaza were fired on by Israeli troops when they tried to walk along a main road leading from the south to Gaza City in the north, and it also sounded like this in the center of Gaza City. (SOUNDBITE OF DRONE BUZZING) BATRAWY: That is the sound of an Israeli drone buzzing overhead. But by noon local time, the Israeli military announced they had pulled back from deep inside Gaza to an agreed upon line, and that means the start of the ceasefire."
"Immediately, we saw crowds in Gaza rush back up that main coastal road again to head back to their homes. But many will find that their homes are gone now. Israel's recent offensive on the city destroyed thousands of buildings, including over a dozen high-rise towers. And it displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Now, NPR's reporter in Gaza City, Anas Baba, also saw police momentarily take position at a main square in the city."
Israeli forces withdrew to agreed positions as the first phase of a ceasefire began, ending Israeli airstrikes over Gaza for the first time in seven months. Early confusion included Israeli troops firing on civilians along a main north-south road and drones buzzing over Gaza City. Crowds returned to coastal roads to go home, though thousands of buildings including over a dozen high-rise towers were destroyed and hundreds of thousands displaced. Gaza police were briefly able to take positions in a main square. Hamas has 72 hours from the ceasefire's start to release hostages, beginning at noon local time.
Read at www.npr.org
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