PEACE campaigners called for a huge mobilisation for the pro-Palestinian march through central London tomorrow.

The call follows the announcement by the Israeli today that the ceasefire agreement with Hamas had come into effect and that troops were withdrawing to agreed-upon deployment lines.

Even so, explosions and smoke were seen in Gaza today, with attacks taking place hours after Israel’s Cabinet-approved President Donald Trump’s plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of the remaining hostages and of Palestinian prisoners.

At least 17 Palestinians were killed and 71 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza today, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry.

The approval marked a key step toward ending Israel’s two-year assault on the Palestinians in Gaza that followed the attack by Hamas and its allies on October 7 2023 during which around 1,200 people were killed and some 252 abducted.

The Israelis have killed more than 67,211 people and injured 169,961 in their retaliation, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and left the territory in ruins.

Israel has reportedly dropped about 200,000 tons of explosives on Gaza since October 7, equivalent to nearly 13 Hiroshima nuclear bombs.

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office today said the Cabinet approved the “outline” of a deal to release the hostages, without mentioning other aspects of the plan that are more controversial.

The withdrawal revealed horrifying scenes of mass destruction caused by relentless bombardment in recent days across the al-Sabra neighbourhood in southern Gaza.

But, tens of thousands of Palestinians still began the walk back to what might be left of their homes in Gaza City — the second big return this year. 

A statement from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign said: “As a tentative ceasefire has been approved it is absolutely vital that we keep up the pressure on our government to push Israel to end its genocidal violence, occupation and apartheid rule over the Palestinian people.”

PSC called on peace activists to “march again for Palestine, to mark two years of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people and to demand the British government take immediate action to stop arming Israel.”

Stop the War Coalition hit back at critics arguing that the demonstration should be cancelled now that a ceasefire was in place.

StW said: “No-one should be fooled that this is anything approaching a just or lasting peace and Israel’s actions hours after the deal was agreed demonstrate this.”

Independent MP for Islington North Jeremy Corbyn called the ceasefire a “respite” but “not justice.”

Mr Corbyn told the Morning Star: “As long as Palestinians are denied their right to self-determination, we will continue to demonstrate. We are a global movement for Palestine, and we are never ever going away.”

Economics professor and activist Yanis Varoufakis, said: “Solidarity is more needed than ever.”

As many hope that the Israelis will, for once, fully honour a ceasefire, the Palestinians in Gaza are hopeful that peace and justice may be around the corner.

A displaced Palestinian woman in central Gaza welcomed the ceasefire, calling it “a blessing.”

Speaking to Al Jazeera, she said: “The most important thing for us is to go back to our homeland, the areas we lived in, even if they are destroyed,” as she walked with other Palestinians back to the north of the enclave.

“Enough is enough. Enough to starvation and deterioration,” the woman insisted, adding that “Palestinian people want freedom and security.”

Head of the Palestinian NGOs Network, Amjad Shawa told Al Jazeera that Palestinians were “exercising their right to return, this is the failure of Israel in its efforts to deport the Palestinians from their land.”

Mr Shawa said his organisation was waiting for the details for being able to get aid supplies to Gaza City and other areas.

A report by Israel’s Army Radio said today it would allow 600 aid trucks, carrying food, medical equipment, shelter supplies, fuel and cooking gas to enter Gaza daily through the United Nations, accredited international aid organisations and the private sector.

Gaza’s Government Media Office issued a “national appeal” today urging people in the enclave “to ensure the success of the humanitarian recovery phase of the ceasefire agreement.”

The statement said: “We call upon our great Palestinian people to fully co-operate with the governmental and humanitarian agencies,” adding that after months of killings, starvation and destruction, “we realise the extent of the pain they experience in the details of their daily lives, and therefore we deal with this stage with a spirit of national and humanitarian responsibility.

“We affirm that co-operation, discipline, and responding to instructions issued by governmental and relief agencies is the safe way to accelerate and facilitate service efforts provided to our people, and to ensure the gradual and organised restoration of life, in a way that achieves the interest of all and preserves the security and stability of society.”

Five border crossings are set to be reopened, including the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, the Egyptian and Hamas officials said.

Tom Fletcher, the United Nations humanitarian chief, told reporters on Thursday that officials have 170,000 metric tons of medicine, aid and other supplies ready for transport into Gaza as soon as they get the green light from the Israelis.

The ceasefire plan allows Israel to maintain an open-ended military occupation inside Gaza, along its border with Israel. An international force of troops made up largely of troops from Arab and Muslim countries, will be given responsibility for security inside Gaza. 

The US will lead a controversial internationally funded reconstruction effort.

When originally suggested this proposal was put forward alongside a scheme to forcibly remove Palestinians from the enclave and for a plush “Gaza Riviera” to be established. This plan was roundly slammed as ethnic cleansing and a crime against humanity.

But one of the main outstanding areas of difference between Hamas and the Israelis is over the release of Palestinian prisoners.

A list of 250 prisoners to be released in exchange for Israeli captives, published by Israel’s Justice Ministry, does not include the names of several senior Palestinian leaders.

These include Marwan Barghouti, Ahmad Saadat, Hassan Salameh and Abbas al-Sayyed.

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office said there was no official agreement over the list.

In a Telegram post, they said: “If the final agreement is reached, the official lists will be published on the Prisoners’ Media Office platforms.”

There are a number of other unanswered questions in the ceasefire deal. These include whether and how Hamas will disarm and the future governance of Gaza.