JERUSALEM: The Israeli government and its security agencies have initiated preparations for the first phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, following Hamas’s agreement to release all Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
On Saturday, the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) convened a special situation assessment in light of recent developments. In accordance with directives from the political echelon, the Chief of Staff instructed to advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of the Trump plan for the release of hostages. At the same time, it was emphasized that the safety of IDF troops is a top priority and that all IDF capabilities will be allocated to the Southern Command to ensure the protection of the troops. The Chief of Staff noted that, given the operational sensitivity, all troops must maintain high alertness and vigilance, in addition to reinforcing the need for a rapid response to neutralize any threat. The situation assessment meeting was attended by senior military officials, including the Deputy Chief of Staff, the Head of the Operations Directorate, the Head of the Intelligence Directorate, the Head of the Planning Directorate, the Commander of the Defence Intelligence Headquarters, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, the Commander of the Southern Command, and the Commander of the Air Force.
Earlier in the day, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Hamas’s decision to release all hostages from Gaza, describing it as “a big day” and expressing hope for the hostages’ return to their families. In a video address, Trump stated, “I just want to let you know that this is a very special day. In many ways, it is unprecedented, but thank you all, and thank you all to those great countries that helped. We’re very close to achieving that. We’ll see how it all turns out. We have to get the final word down in concrete.” In a separate post on Truth Social, Trump urged Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly!” and added that he believed Hamas was “ready for a lasting PEACE.”
Hamas announced plans to free all Israeli hostages held in Gaza and hand over the bodies of captives. In a statement on the social media site Telegram, Hamas said, “The movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details of this agreement.” It also agreed to hand over Gaza’s administration to a “Palestinian body of independent technocrats, based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support.”
Approximately 48 individuals are believed to remain in captivity, with 20 thought to be still alive. Hamas’s decision came hours after President Trump issued an ultimatum to the group to sign his Gaza peace plan by Sunday or face severe consequences. In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump wrote, “An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, DC time. Every Country has signed on! If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas.”
Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza outlines the establishment of a temporary technocratic government, with Israel pledging not to annex the Strip and ensuring that no residents are forced to leave. The agreement calls for an immediate end to the war if accepted, with all captives, both alive and deceased, returned within 72 hours.
In response to the developments, Israel has halted all military offensive operations to capture Gaza City, shifting its forces to defensive operations only. The Israeli military has made operational changes at the behest of the government, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would “continue to work in full coordination with the United States and Egypt” to implement the peace plan. The IDF has been ordered to cease its offensive on Gaza and transition to defensive actions following a demand from President Trump.
President Trump has warned Hamas to act quickly during a pause in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza to release hostages and complete negotiations that could end the war. He stated, “I will not tolerate delay, which many think will happen, or any outcome where Gaza poses a threat again. Let’s get this done, FAST. Everyone will be treated fairly!”
In Washington, a White House official said on Saturday that Trump is sending his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to Egypt to finalize the technical details of the hostage release and discuss a lasting peace deal. Egypt will also host delegations from Israel and Hamas on Monday to discuss the anticipated exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, according to Egypt’s Foreign Ministry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation late on Saturday after the Sabbath ended, confirming that negotiators would be sent to Egypt, and said the intention was to limit negotiations to a few days. Netanyahu said he hoped to announce the return of the captives, all while the Israeli military remained deep in Gaza. He emphasized that Hamas would be disarmed and Gaza demilitarized, warning that this would happen either politically or militarily.
Trump’s plan envisions a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, with the military eventually withdrawing to Gaza’s perimeter. The plan does not lay out a specific time frame for the withdrawal. The prime minister spoke as tens of thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv in support of a deal to end the war.
Hamas’s response to the plan has drawn a chorus of optimistic statements from world leaders, who urged an end to the deadliest conflict involving Israel since its creation in 1948 and called for the release of Israelis still held in the enclave.
Another possible boost to peace hopes came with a supportive statement from the Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, which is smaller than Hamas but seen as more hardline. The group, which also holds hostages, on Saturday endorsed Hamas’s response a move that could help pave the way for the release of Israelis still held by both parties.
Some Palestinians expressed hope that the agreement could lead to an end to the suffering in Gaza. “May the suffering lift off the people of Gaza, the people of Gaza are among the oppressed of the earth, and any ray of hope for the oppressed people is a victory,” said Sharif al-Fakhouri, a resident of the occupied West Bank city of Hebron.
However, some expressed concern that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu might ultimately withdraw from any plan to end the war. “What is important is that Netanyahu does not sabotage this, because now that Hamas agreed, Netanyahu will disagree, as he usually does,” said Jerusalem resident Jamal Shihada.
Israeli media reported that the country’s political echelon had instructed the military to reduce offensive activity in Gaza. Trump has invested significant political capital in efforts to end the war that has left U.S. ally Israel increasingly isolated on the world stage. Trump said on Friday he believed Hamas had shown it was “ready for a lasting PEACE” and he put the onus on Netanyahu’s government.
Domestically, the prime minister is caught between growing pressure to end the war from hostage families and a war-weary public and demands from hardline members of his coalition who insist there must be no let-up in Israel’s campaign in Gaza. Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on X that halting attacks on Gaza was a “grave mistake,” saying it would play into Hamas’s “time-wasting.”
Israel began attacking Gaza after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Israel says 48 hostages remain, 20 of whom are alive. Israel’s campaign has killed more than 67,000 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities.
“It’s time to end this horrific war and bring every single hostage back home. We are for rebuilding and the rehabilitation,” said Efrat Machikawa, an active member of Israel’s hostage families forum and the niece of Gadi Moses, a hostage who was released in January.
-With Agency Input
