Regional coordination supports President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan, but analysts caution that Hamas' continued existence could reignite conflict.

Hamas-Israel deal live updates: Ceasefire agreement goes into effect in Gaza, IDF says CEASEFIRE DEAL: A ceasefire in Gaza went into effect at 12 p.m. local time (5 a.m. ET), the Israeli military said, after its government approved the first phase of a deal to bring the war to an end.

Thousands of Palestinians began returning to their homes across Gaza on Saturday amid a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

Israel’s Cabinet early Friday approved President Donald Trump’s plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all the remaining hostages held by Hamas, a key step toward ending the war.

Former national security advisor John Hannah says he is worried about Hamas re-asserting control in Gaza as Israeli forces withdraw from specified positions on ‘Fox Report.’

It is unclear if disagreement over the list of Palestinian prisoners will affect the release of hostages within the agreed 72 hours.

Last month, President Donald Trump proposed a 20-point plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip ahead of this week's negotiations in Egypt.

"As of now it seems like the hostages will be coming home and it's just relief and joy and hope that they'll all be OK," a Jewish UConn student said.

Hamas has said it has given Israel a list of Palestinian prisoners it wants to be released in return for the freeing of hostages in Gaza. Tahir Al-Nono, the group’s political media advisor, said that “a spirit of optimism is prevailing” surrounding the ongoing negotiations for a peace deal that continue today in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt.

Aid groups say they are cautiously optimistic that an Israel-Hamas ceasefire will result in open borders to flood aid into Gaza.

The ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel creates political risks for the militant group's leadership and for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.