White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff visited an IDF base in northern Gaza on Saturday as thousands of Palestinians were seen returning to their homes.

Israeli and Arab military officials have come together for meetings and trainings, facilitated by U.S. Central Command, on regional threats, Iran and underground tunnels.

Israel and Hamas have signed a cease-fire agreement to free the remaining hostages in Gaza. Mediators hope that the deal will finally bring an end to two nightmarish years of war that have killed tens of thousands and laid waste to the Gaza Strip.

Israeli bombing has damaged or destroyed an estimated 80% of Gaza’s structures since the war started two years ago.

Hours after Israel withdrew its troops from Gaza City in the opening stage of a US-brokered ceasefire, tens of thousands of Palestinians trudged back to sift through bombed-out buildings overseen by Hamas security operatives.

President Donald Trump on Thursday credited several Middle Eastern and global leaders for helping secure the first phase of a deal in hopes of ending the two-year war.