Trump«s Peace Plan. The Israeli Army Announced a Shift to Defensive Operations 0 18

The Israeli army announced on Saturday that it will begin implementing the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to end the war in Gaza and return all hostages who are still alive.

The IDF stated that Israeli command has ordered a "heightened readiness" to execute the plan.

According to local media reports, a senior Israeli official said that Israel has shifted to defense in Gaza and will not carry out active strikes, even if no soldiers leave the sector.

This statement came just hours after Trump called on Israel to cease bombings in Gaza, and Hamas stated that they accept the U.S. president's peace plan.

Trump welcomed Hamas's statement, saying, "I believe they are ready for a lasting peace."

The U.S. president's proposal, presented earlier this week, has received widespread international support and was also approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

On Friday, Netanyahu's office stated that Israel is ready to end the war that began after Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023. The Israeli leader is under increasing pressure from the international community and Trump to end the conflict.

Uncertainty Remains Despite Progress

Meanwhile, a senior Egyptian official reported that negotiations are underway for the release of hostages as well as hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. According to media reports, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to travel to Egypt this weekend to help finalize the details of the American plan to end the war.

According to the Egyptian official, Arab mediators are preparing for a comprehensive dialogue among Palestinians, particularly aimed at unifying their position regarding the future of Gaza.

On Saturday, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the second most powerful militant group in Gaza, stated that it supported Hamas's response to Trump's plan. Just days earlier, the group had rejected the proposal.

Despite the emerging breakthrough, many questions remain. Tuesday will mark two years since Hamas's attack on Israel.

Under Trump's peace plan, Hamas will release the remaining 48 hostages within three days, about 20 of whom are believed to be alive. It will also relinquish power and disarm.

In exchange, Israel will halt its offensive and withdraw troops from most of the territory, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and ensure the flow of humanitarian aid and, ultimately, reconstruction.

Hamas has stated that it is ready to release hostages and transfer power in Gaza, but other aspects of the plan require further consultations. The official statement also did not address the issue of Hamas's demilitarization—a key part of the deal.

According to the Washington Post, Hamas's chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya and other political figures outside Gaza are willing to agree to the proposal "despite significant reservations," while Izz al-Din al-Qassam, the commander of Hamas in Gaza, is prepared to give up the militant group's offensive weapons, such as rockets, but wants to retain "defensive" weapons, primarily rifles.

Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli general and head of the Israel Defense and Security Forum, said that while Israel may afford to cease fire in Gaza for a few days to free the hostages, it will resume its offensive if Hamas does not disarm.

Despite reports from Israeli media that the IDF has shifted to defensive operations, authorities in the Gaza Strip stated that six people were killed on Saturday as a result of Israeli shelling.

According to Palestinian medics, four people were killed in one of the attacks in Gaza City, and two more in another attack in the southern city of Khan Younis.

Earlier on Saturday, an Israeli army spokesperson in Arabic warned Palestinians against attempting to return to the area north of Wadi Gaza, calling it a combat zone.

"For your safety, avoid returning north or approaching areas where IDF forces are operating," the statement said.