Israel preparing to implement ‘first stage’ of Trump’s Gaza peace plan

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is preparing to implement the first stage of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. Hamas has agreed to parts of the proposal, raising hopes for a ceasefire and hostage release amid global backing.

Deir Al-Balah: Israeli Prime Minister Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is preparing to implement the “first stage” of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza.
A statement from the prime minister’s office Saturday said Israel would work “in full cooperation” with Trump to end the war in accordance with its principles.

US President Donald Trump on Friday ordered Israel to stop bombing the Gaza Strip after Hamas said it had accepted some elements of his plan to end the nearly two-year war and return all the remaining hostages taken in the October 7, 2023, attack.

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Hamas said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians, but that other aspects of the plan require further consultations among Palestinians. Senior Hamas officials suggested there were still major disagreements that required further negotiations.

There was no immediate response from Israel, which is largely shut down for the Jewish Sabbath, and Hamas’ response fell short of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demands that the group surrender and disarm. Israel had earlier accepted Trump’s plan in its entirety.

Trump welcomed the Hamas statement, saying: “I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.” “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out,” he wrote on social media.

Hamas said aspects of the proposal touching on the future of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian rights should be decided on the basis of a “unanimous Palestinian stance” reached with other factions and based on international law.

The statement also made no mention of Hamas disarming, a key Israeli demand included in Trump’s proposal.

Latest ceasefire effort is widely welcomed Trump appears keen to deliver on pledges to end the war and return dozens of hostages ahead of the second anniversary of the attack on Tuesday.

Key mediators Egypt and Qatar welcomed the latest developments, and Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, said they would “continue discussions on the plan.”

A spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he “urges all parties to seize the opportunity to bring the tragic conflict in Gaza to an end.” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on social media that “the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach!” The main organisation representing the families of Israeli hostages said Trump’s demand to halt the fighting “is essential to prevent serious and irreversible harm to the hostages.” It called on Netanyahu “to immediately begin efficient and swift negotiations to bring all our hostages home.”

Trump’s plan would end the fighting and return hostages Earlier, Trump had warned that Hamas must agree to the deal by Sunday evening, threatening an even greater military onslaught.

“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas,” Trump wrote Friday on social media. “THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.” Under the plan, which Trump unveiled earlier this week alongside Netanyahu, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages — around 20 of them believed to be alive, within three days. It would also give up power and disarm.o Israel.