Netanyahu orders IDF to stop assault on Gaza City and prepare for ‘first stage’ of deal as terrorists confirm they will free all captives within 72 hours
Israel has ordered its military to halt offensive operations in Gaza after Hamas agreed to release all Israeli hostages under Donald Trump’s ambitious peace plan, marking a dramatic potential turning point in the two-year conflict.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel was preparing to initiate the “first stage” of the Trump plan following Hamas’s announcement that it would free all hostages, both alive and deceased. The Israeli Defense Forces have been ordered to stop their invasion of Gaza City and reduce activity to a minimum, Israeli Army Radio reported.
The remarkable U-turn comes after President Trump threatened to unleash “all hell” on Hamas if they did not accept his 20-point peace proposal by Sunday evening. The terror group confirmed it would release all 48 remaining hostages – 20 believed to be alive and 28 bodies – within 72 hours of an agreement.
Hamas Accepts Key Elements
In a statement that surprised observers, Hamas said: “The movement announces its approval to release all occupation prisoners, alive and dead, according to the exchange formula mentioned in President Trump’s proposal.”
The terrorists also agreed to hand over administrative control of Gaza to an independent body of Palestinian technocrats, though they rejected Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” that would have been chaired by the president with members including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Netanyahu responded positively, stating: “In light of the Hamas response, Israel is making preparations for the immediate implementation of the first phase of the Trump plan which is the immediate release of all of the hostages.
He added: “We will continue to fully cooperate with the president and his team in order to end the war in accordance with the principles that Israel laid out and which are in line with President Trump’s vision.”
Trump Celebrates Breakthrough
President Trump posted a celebratory video on Friday afternoon, though he cautioned he was waiting to get the agreement “in concrete” with both sides. He thanked Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Turkey alongside others for having “helped me put this together.”
“So many people fought so hard, this is a big day, we’ll see how it all turns out, we have to get the final word down in concrete,” Trump said. “Most importantly, I look forward to having the hostages come home to their parents and having some of the hostages, unfortunately you know the condition they’re in, come home likewise to their parents.”
He called the deal brokered between the two sides “maybe unprecedented” and said it was “a special day.”
On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, 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!”
Military Operations Suspended
The IDF order to halt offensive operations marks an extraordinary shift in strategy since Hamas’s invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023. Israeli forces have been instructed to only act in defence and will stop their plan to occupy Gaza City and evacuate remaining residents.
A senior Israeli official told sources that the halt in offensive activity is intended to allow Hamas to begin organising for the release of the hostages. The official stressed this does not represent an official ceasefire but rather tactical adjustments to protect troops whilst preventing Hamas from exploiting any pause.
The Israeli military said it had given instructions to “advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of the Trump plan,” following orders from the political echelon.
The 20-Point Peace Plan
Trump’s comprehensive proposal, unveiled at the White House on Monday alongside Netanyahu, includes several key provisions:
- Immediate ceasefire upon acceptance by both sides
- Release of all 48 hostages within 72 hours
- Israel to release 250 life-sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans detained after October 7, 2023
- Phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza
- Full humanitarian aid to immediately enter Gaza Strip
- Gaza to be governed by technocratic Palestinian committee
- Economic development plan for Gaza including special economic zones
- Amnesty for Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence and decommission weapons
The plan also proposes an international “Board of Peace” to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, though Hamas has rejected foreign oversight, with Hamas chief Mousa Abu Marzouk telling Al Jazeera: “We will never accept anyone who is not Palestinian to control the Palestinians.”
Sticking Points Remain
Despite the breakthrough, significant challenges remain. Hamas has refused to completely disarm, stating it must retain “defensive capabilities” whilst offering to hand over offensive weapons to Egypt and the United Nations for storage.
The terror group also insisted it would be included in a “comprehensive national Palestinian framework” for Gaza’s future governance, contradicting Trump’s demand that Hamas play no role “directly or indirectly.”
Hamas praised Trump in its announcement, writing: “Hamas appreciates the Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as the efforts of US President Donald Trump, calling for stopping the war on the Gaza Strip.
Regional Support Crucial
The breakthrough followed intense diplomatic efforts involving key regional powers. Netanyahu called Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani from the White House to apologise for Israel’s recent airstrike in Doha, which had been Qatar’s condition for resuming mediation.
Muslim powers including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey welcomed the plan in a joint statement calling Trump’s efforts “sincere.” European nations that recently recognised Palestinian statehood also expressed support.
A senior Arab diplomat described Hamas’s response as “positive,” adding: “They had no choice but to accept.” However, the diplomat warned: “Trump’s call on Israel to halt strikes will call Hamas’s bluff over the coming days. It’s now up to Hamas.”
Netanyahu’s Political Tightrope
The Israeli prime minister faces a delicate political balancing act. Ending the war and bringing hostages home has tremendous domestic support, but his far-right coalition partners, crucial to keeping him in power, oppose any deal that leaves Hamas intact.
Netanyahu had warned that if Hamas rejects or subverts the plan, “Israel will finish the job by itself.” He received Trump’s assurance of “full backing to do what you would have to do” if the deal collapses.
Behind the scenes, Netanyahu had successfully negotiated several edits to Trump’s original text, particularly regarding conditions and timetables for Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. The new proposal ties withdrawal to progress on disarming Hamas and gives Israel effective veto power over the process.
Humanitarian Crisis
The potential peace deal comes as Gaza faces a catastrophic humanitarian situation. Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages, more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory assault.
The UN said displacement sites in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis are hosting more than half a million people, calling the peace plan a “window of opportunity” for aid to return and hostages to be released.
Earlier this week, Israel had ordered an estimated 200,000 remaining Palestinians in Gaza City to evacuate southward, adding to the humanitarian crisis.
Next Steps
Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas are set to begin on Sunday in Egypt, with mediators from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey facilitating discussions. The Sunday 6pm deadline Trump imposed for Hamas acceptance appears to have spurred action, though finalising details could take considerably longer.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Trump’s efforts and expressed “confidence in his ability to find a path toward peace,” whilst urging immediate commitment to a complete ceasefire.
As both sides signal willingness to move forward, the coming days will prove crucial in determining whether this potential breakthrough can translate into lasting peace after two years of devastating conflict.
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