Israeli Army Prepares First Phase of Trump’s Gaza Plan/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israel’s military announced it is preparing to implement the first phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan after Hamas and Islamic Jihad expressed conditional acceptance. The plan calls for releasing hostages, halting the Israeli offensive, and launching reconstruction efforts. Global mediators have welcomed the move, though both skepticism and uncertainty remain on the ground.
Gaza Peace Developments: Quick Looks
- Israel’s army ordered to begin readiness for Trump’s Gaza plan.
- Defensive-only stance: no new Israeli strikes, troops remain in place.
- Hamas and Islamic Jihad both signal conditional support for U.S. proposal.
- Egypt and Qatar resume mediation on hostage and prisoner releases.
- Gaza death toll surpasses 67,000 as famine fears grow.
- Europe erupts in protests calling for a permanent ceasefire.
- Trump pressures Netanyahu to begin implementation ahead of war’s anniversary.
- Families of hostages cautiously hopeful but wary of collapse.
Israeli Army Prepares First Phase of Trump’s Gaza Plan
Deep Look
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel’s military announced Saturday it had been instructed to advance preparations for the first stage of President Donald Trump’s plan to end the nearly two-year Gaza war and secure the release of all remaining hostages.
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said leaders ordered “readiness advancement” for the plan’s implementation, signaling the start of a potentially historic shift in the conflict. A senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that the army had transitioned to a defensive posture in Gaza but had not withdrawn any forces.
“Israel has entered a defensive-only mode,” the official said. “There will be no new strikes while preparations are underway.”
The announcement followed Trump’s dramatic directive late Friday ordering Israel to halt bombing after Hamas indicated partial acceptance of his U.S.-backed proposal.
“I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE,” Trump said on his social media platform, calling for an immediate cessation of airstrikes to facilitate hostage negotiations.
Netanyahu Under Pressure
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has faced growing pressure from both Trump and international partners, endorsed the plan’s framework but has not publicly addressed differences with Hamas. According to an Israeli official, Netanyahu’s rare late-night statement during the Sabbath was prompted by “direct pressure from Washington.”
The official added that a negotiating team was preparing to travel to meet with U.S. and regional envoys, though no specific date had been set.
Meanwhile, a senior Egyptian mediator confirmed that talks are underway to secure the release of Israeli hostages and the exchange of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Cairo and Doha are reportedly coordinating a broader dialogue aimed at uniting Palestinian factions on Gaza’s political future.
Islamic Jihad Endorses Hamas Position
Adding momentum, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad — Gaza’s second-largest militant group — announced Saturday that it now backs Hamas’ response to Trump’s proposal. The reversal came after days of deliberation and was hailed by mediators as a potential breakthrough toward unified Palestinian engagement.
Hamas has agreed in principle to release 48 remaining hostages, roughly 20 of whom are believed to be alive, in exchange for a three-day truce and the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
In return, Israel would halt its offensive, withdraw from most of Gaza, and allow massive humanitarian aid and reconstruction to begin under international supervision. The plan also envisions foreign governance of Gaza, overseen by Trump and former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair — a condition Hamas has not fully accepted.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
As diplomatic momentum builds, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis continues to worsen. The Gaza Health Ministry on Saturday raised the war’s death toll to over 67,000, including more than 700 newly verified casualties. It said women and children account for roughly half of the deaths.
The U.N. and independent monitors regard the ministry’s figures as the most reliable measure of casualties during the war.
Gaza City remains under siege, with Israeli forces warning residents not to return, calling the area a “dangerous combat zone.” U.N. officials say famine conditions were confirmed just before Israel’s latest offensive to occupy the city.
“What we want is not promises, but a real truce,” said Samir Abdel-Hady, a displaced resident in Khan Younis. “Every time we hear about talks, the bombs start again.”
Experts Cautious on Hamas’ Intentions
While Hamas’ response has generated hope, Israeli analysts warn it may mask deeper intransigence.
“This ‘yes, but’ language repackages old demands in softer tones,” said Oded Ailam, a researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs. “It’s more a tactical pause than a true shift toward peace.”
Retired general Amir Avivi, chairman of Israel’s Defense and Security Forum, said Israel could suspend fighting briefly to secure hostage releases but will resume operations if Hamas fails to disarm.
“If Hamas doesn’t surrender its weapons, Israel will have no choice but to continue,” Avivi said.
Global Protests and Political Fallout
Protests swept through European capitals on Saturday, with tens of thousands demonstrating in Barcelona, Madrid, and Milan to demand an end to the war. Italian and Portuguese groups are planning solidarity marches this weekend.
Trump’s administration, meanwhile, has pushed Israel to adopt the plan swiftly, viewing it as a potential foreign policy win ahead of the second anniversary of Hamas’ 2023 attacks that killed 1,200 people in Israel.
“We’re putting our trust in Trump,” said Yehuda Cohen, whose son remains a hostage in Gaza. “He’s the only one doing something. We just pray he sees this through.”
As the plan’s first phase takes shape, the region stands at a crossroads — torn between fragile hope for peace and the scars of a devastating war that has displaced millions.
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