Trump envoy Witkoff visits IDF base in northern Gaza as peace deal advances, thousands return home

White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was photographed Saturday visiting an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) base in the northern Gaza Strip as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appeared to be holding for a second day. 

The image was obtained exclusively by Fox News. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) leader Adm. Brad Cooper accompanied Witkoff during the visit to the facility.

Thousands of Palestinians were seen returning to their homes in the Gaza Strip Saturday. One image showed a massive column of people moving north along the territory’s coastline, by vehicle and on foot. 

“It is an indescribable feeling; praise be to God,” resident Nabila Basal told Reuters. “We are very, very happy that the war has stopped, and the suffering has ended.” 

Palestinian health authorities said 100 bodies have been recovered across the Gaza Strip following the withdrawal of Israeli forces, Reuters reported. 

One Gaza City resident, 40-year-old Ismail Zayda, said to the news agency that his home is still standing despite the war. 

“Thank God my house is still standing,” he reportedly said. “But the place is destroyed, my neighbors’ houses are destroyed, entire districts have gone.” 

In Khan Younis, resident Ahmed al-Brim told Reuters that, “We went to our area. It was exterminated. We don’t know where we will go after that.” 

“We couldn’t get the furniture, or clothes, or anything, not even winter clothes. Nothing is left,” he added.

Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.