IDF completes initial withdrawal from Gaza as phase one of President Trump’s peace plan begins
With President Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan officially signed, sealed, and delivered, the Israeli Defense Forces have officially begun withdrawing from the Gaza Strip, according officials
by Summer Lane | October 13, 2025
President Trump has historically secured peace between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East, and now, a phased withdrawal by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip has begun.
Following remarks at the Israeli Knesset on Monday, President Trump traveled to Egypt, where he was joined by dozens of world leaders who support his Gaza peace plan. This marks the “official” signing off on the Gaza peace deal, which has brought an end to the killing between the Palestinians in Gaza and the Israelis who have fought strongly since Hamas terrorists invaded their country two years ago.
The initial withdrawal, according to the terms of the president’s 20-point peace plan, includes the return of all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased. During his remarks at the Knesset on Monday, President Trump confirmed the return of 20 living hostages and noted that 28 more would soon be laid to rest.
“After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace,” he stated.
The initial withdrawal has pulled back the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to an agreed-upon line in Gaza. This phased withdrawal also includes a cessation of all military operations.
Now that the hostages have been returned, according to the details of the Gaza agreement, Hamas members “who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty.” Those who wish to leave Gaza will be allowed to do so.
According to the New York Post, while there is no military engagement from U.S. troops in Israel during this time, there are currently U.S. servicemembers in the Holy Land. Their task is to oversee the IDF’s withdrawal and to coordinate other supporting nations’ incoming units.
There are around 200 U.S. soldiers on the ground in Israel as of Monday, the outlet reported.
U.S. troops are not expected to set foot in the Gaza Strip.
The withdrawal of IDF forces from the agreed-upon yellow line has been confirmed by the U.S. Central Command.
Over the weekend, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, traveled with Admiral Brad Cooper, head of CENTCOM, to Gaza to verify the IDF’s compliance with Phase One.
“We received detailed briefings on security, humanitarian aid, and deconfliction efforts. With continued commitment, peace remains within reach,” Witkoff stated on Saturday.
According to the president, humanitarian aid is now moving toward the Gaza Strip, as outlined in the peace agreement.
“Civilians are returning to their homes. The hostages are reuniting,” President Trump said during remarks in Egypt. “I mean, it’s beautiful.”
Gaza will be governed by a temporary transitional government comprised of an “apolitical Palestinian committee,” per the agreement. The committee will be supervised by an international body called the “Board of Peace,” chaired by President Donald J. Trump.
Photo: Adobe Stock
