IDF hopes to complete withdrawal by noon, starting 72 hour countdown to free hostages

The IDF expects to complete its pullback of troops to agreed-upon deployment lines in Gaza, as part of the deal with Hamas to secure the release of all the hostages held by the terror group in the Strip, at noon.

Once complete, the IDF will remain in control of just over half of the Strip’s territory, or 53 percent — most of which is outside urban areas.

Within 72 hours of the IDF completing the withdrawal, Hamas is set to release the 48 hostages it is holding, beginning with the 20 believed to be alive. The terror group has, in the past, told mediators it does not know where some of the bodies of slain hostages are located, which may delay the release of the bodies.

Israeli troops withdraw to new deployment lines in the Gaza Strip as part of a hostage deal, October 10, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)