Late Friday, the Israeli administration responded to Hamas’s tentative acceptance of President Trump’s Gaza peace initiative by announcing its readiness to commence “preparations for the immediate implementation of the first phase,” which focuses on the release of hostages.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office communicated to Israeli media that they are committed to collaborating with Trump—though the statement did not guarantee an end to military operations in Gaza, a request made by the US president on Friday.
“In response to Hamas’s position on the Trump peace plan, Israel is gearing up for the rapid enactment of the first phase of said plan, which involves the immediate release of all hostages,” the statement explained.
“We shall maintain full cooperation with the president and his team to conclude the conflict in alignment with the principles Israel has proposed, which resonate with President Trump’s vision.”
Simultaneously, there are indications that Trump’s endorsement of Hamas’s response to his peace proposal is influencing conditions on the ground.
Reports from Israeli Army Radio state that military leaders have been instructed to suspend their planned invasion of Gaza City.
This report suggests that Israeli civilian authorities have directed military commanders to minimize operations in Gaza to “a minimum” and restrict their actions to defensive measures.
Consequently, the Israeli army’s objective to seize control of Gaza City and evacuate its residents has been temporarily obstructed, as indicated by Army Radio.
Earlier on Friday, reports from within Israel specified that Netanyahu was surprised by Trump’s statement appreciating Hamas’s tentative agreement to release hostages—which hinges on further discussions regarding a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
While Trump praised what he termed Hamas’s “acceptance” of his Gaza peace initiative, the Israeli prime minister conveyed to close associates that he interpreted the Palestinian group’s statement as a dismissal of the president’s proposals, according to Axios.
Although Hamas expressed a willingness to release Israeli hostages—both alive and deceased, as Trump requested—the Palestinian group did not agree to disarm or transfer control in Gaza to an international force.
Hamas also resisted Trump’s demand in the 20-point peace framework for the group to liberate Israeli hostages within a 72-hour time frame.
