Israel has announced that it is preparing to implement the “first phase” of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, just hours after Hamas signaled its willingness to negotiate over the release of hostages.
The statement, issued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office early Saturday, was seen as a potential breakthrough in efforts to end the nearly two-year-long war, though it made no reference to Trump’s demand for Israel to immediately halt bombing in Gaza.
“In light of Hamas’s response, Israel is preparing to immediately implement the first phase of Trump’s plan for the release of all hostages,” Netanyahu’s office stated, adding that the government would work in full coordination with Trump and his team.
The announcement followed Trump’s ultimatum to Hamas to respond by Sunday or face dire consequences. Hamas had already agreed in principle to a hostages-for-prisoners exchange but emphasized that negotiations were required over issues such as disarmament and the future governance of Gaza.
Israel’s military command held overnight consultations with intelligence officials and hostage negotiators to assess readiness. Southern Command troops were placed on high alert, while political leaders reportedly directed the army to scale back operations to defensive actions, suspending plans for a ground takeover of Gaza City.
The first phase of Trump’s plan is believed to involve the immediate release of Israeli hostages, the parallel release of about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, preparations for a gradual Israeli withdrawal, and early steps toward Gaza’s post-war administration.
Hamas has signaled readiness to transfer Gaza’s administration to a Palestinian technocratic body supported by Arab and Islamic states but rejected Trump’s proposed international “Board of Peace” and dismissed disarmament demands.
The conflict has exacted a staggering human cost: more than 66,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed since October 2023, while much of Gaza lies in ruins. Mounting pressure from Israeli hostage families has also pushed Netanyahu to act swiftly on negotiations.
