A United Nations official stated that the international organization will begin delivering massive and wide-ranging humanitarian aid to Gaza this Sunday, following the implementation of the ceasefire.

The official explained that the UN received the green light from Israel to start delivering aid to Gaza starting Sunday. Details have not yet been announced.

The aid will include 170,000 tons pre-positioned in neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt, while humanitarian officials await permission from Israeli forces to resume their work.

According to UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher, the UN and its humanitarian partners have only been able to deliver 20% of the required aid in Gaza over the past few months.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians returned today, Friday, to the heavily damaged northern Gaza Strip as the ceasefire took effect.

The agreement raised hopes of ending the war between Israel and Hamas, with all remaining detainees expected to be released within days.

Questions remain about who will govern Gaza as Israeli forces gradually withdraw and whether Hamas will disarm, as outlined in the ceasefire plan by former US President Donald Trump.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel may renew its offensive if Hamas does not relinquish its weapons.

Nevertheless, the recent ceasefire represents a major step toward ending a devastating two-year war that erupted after Hamas attacked Israel in 2023.

The fighting has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and displaced about 90% of Gaza’s nearly two million residents multiple times.

Many Gaza residents will find piles of rubble where their homes once stood.

The army confirmed the start of the ceasefire today, Friday, and the release of the remaining 48 detainees, about 20 of whom are believed to be alive, is scheduled by Monday.

Palestinians said that heavy shelling in parts of Gaza earlier on Friday mostly stopped after the army’s announcement.

Netanyahu added in a televised statement today, Friday, that the next phases will see Hamas disarmed and Gaza stripped of weapons.

He continued, “If that happens the easy way – so be it. If not – it will be done the hard way.”

He added that Hamas agreed to the deal “only when it felt the sword was on its neck – and it still is.”

The Israeli occupation army said it will continue to operate defensively in about 50% of Gaza that it still controls after withdrawing to the agreed lines.