JERUSALEM/GAZA/CAIRO: The Israeli government and security agencies have initiated preparations for implementing the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza peace plan, following Hamas’ announcement to release all Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) convened a special situation assessment on Saturday, emphasizing troop safety and operational readiness.
A statement from the IDF said, “All IDF capabilities will be allocated to the Southern Command to ensure the protection of troops, with high alertness and rapid response measures in place to neutralize any threats.” The meeting was attended by top military officials, including the IDF Deputy Chief of Staff, heads of the Operations, Intelligence, and Planning Directorates, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, and commanders of the Southern Command and Air Force.
Earlier, Trump hailed Hamas’ pledge to release all hostages as a “big day,” stating in a video address that the hostages would soon return to their families. In a separate post on Truth Social, he urged Israel to temporarily halt bombings in Gaza to facilitate a safe and rapid release. Trump also described Hamas as ready for “lasting peace,” highlighting his 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the two-year conflict. The plan includes establishing a temporary technocratic government in Gaza, an Israeli commitment not to annex the Strip, and the immediate return of all captives both alive and deceased within 72 hours of acceptance.
Hamas confirmed via Telegram that it is ready to enter mediated negotiations immediately to finalize the details of the agreement. The group also agreed to transfer Gaza’s administration to a Palestinian technocratic body backed by Arab and Islamic support. Approximately 48 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive. Hamas’ decision followed an ultimatum from Trump demanding agreement on his Gaza plan by Sunday or facing unspecified consequences.
Despite the announcement, Israeli strikes continued in Gaza on Saturday, killing at least 36 people, including children, and wounding several others. The deadliest attack hit a house in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City, damaging surrounding buildings. Israel stated that it targeted a Hamas militant posing a threat to its troops and expressed regret for civilian casualties, adding that investigations were ongoing. Trump acknowledged that Israel had “temporarily stopped the bombing” and pressed Hamas to move swiftly on his plan, warning that delays could jeopardize the agreement.
Trump has dispatched envoys, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, to Egypt to finalize technical details and mediate between Israel and Hamas. Egypt will host delegations from both sides on Monday to discuss the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the deployment of negotiators to Egypt, stating that the process would be limited to a few days. Netanyahu emphasized that Hamas would eventually be disarmed and Gaza demilitarized, either politically or militarily, while Israel would remain prepared to secure its forces in Gaza.
In Israel, tens of thousands rallied in Tel Aviv calling for an end to the war. While Trump and international leaders welcomed Hamas’ commitment as a hopeful step toward ending the conflict, Israeli hardliners expressed concerns. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized the temporary halt in attacks as a strategic error, accusing Hamas of using delays to its advantage. Among Palestinians, optimism was tempered by fears that Netanyahu might undermine the plan. Some residents described the development as a rare “ray of hope” for the beleaguered population of Gaza, which has endured repeated airstrikes, mass displacement, and a worsening humanitarian crisis over the past two years.
The ongoing war, sparked by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has claimed over 67,000 lives in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to local health authorities. Israeli authorities report 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken in the initial assault. Efrat Machikawa, a member of Israel’s Hostage Families Forum, said, “It’s time to end this horrific war and bring every single hostage back home. We are committed to rebuilding and rehabilitation.”
With Hamas’ acceptance of Trump’s plan and support from the smaller Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, which also holds hostages, a coordinated release could be imminent. The coming days will be crucial, as Israel and Hamas finalize operational and logistical details under intense international scrutiny. The world watches closely, hoping that a lasting ceasefire and the safe return of hostages can finally end the deadliest conflict Israel has faced since its founding in 1948.
-With Agency Input, WNN
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