BIG update on Trump Gaza peace plan; IDF says ready to implement Phase 1 of…, Hamas agrees to…

Hamas' response to the Trump Gaza peace plan was welcomed by several countries who have been pushing for an end to hostilities in Gaza.

Trump Gaza Peace Plan: In a major development that could potentially mark the beginning of the a peace process in the Israel-Gaza war, the the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they are ready to implement the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to free Israeli hostages under his Gaza peace plan.

What did IDF say?

According to a statement by the Israeli military, IDF chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held talks with the top general of Israel to assess the situation in light of the development, and instructed the IDF to prepare “for the implementation of the first stage of Trump’s plans to free the hostages”.

Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reassured “full cooperation” with Trump after Hamas expressed willingness to accept the US President’s plan. “We will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team in order to bring the war to an end in accordance with the principles set forth by Israel, which are consistent with President Trump’s vision,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) wrote on X, but did not mention Trump’s call for Israel to “stop bombing” Gaza to ensure hostages’ safety.

The Israeli PMO later deleted the post.

Why Hamas agreed to Trump Gaza peace plan?

Earlier this week, Hamas issued a statement agreeing to release of all Israeli hostages, whether dead or alive, in response to the Trump Gaza peace plan introduced earlier this week, Al Jazeera reported.

“In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details of this agreement,” reads the statement from the Palestinian armed group shared on Telegram.

Hamas’ response to Trump’s plan was welcomed by several countries who have been pushing for an end to hostilities in Gaza. “The State of Qatar welcomes the announcement by Hamas of its agreement to President Trump’s plan, and its readiness to release all hostages as part of the exchange framework outlined in the plan,” Qatari Foreign Ministry wrote on X.

“We also affirm our support for the statements made by the President calling for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate the safe and swift release of hostages, and to achieve rapid results that would put an end to the bloodshed of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.” it added.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described Hamas’s statement as a “constructive and significant step toward achieving lasting peace” and urged Israel to “immediately stop all its attacks”, while his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron said Hamas’s commitment “must be followed up without delay”, stressing that there was an opportunity to “make decisive progress towards peace”.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also reacted positively, saying he was “encouraged” by Hamas’s statement and urging all sides to “seize the opportunity” to end the conflict.

Trump hails Hamas statement

Meanwhile, Trump in a video address called Hamas’ agreement an “unprecedented” development, and hoped the deal would lead to the return of hostages. “Very 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 are in come home likewise to their parents because their parents wanted them just as much as though that young man or that young woman were alive,” Trump said.

“So, I just want to let you know that this is a very special day. Maybe unprecedented in many ways. It is unprecedented,” he added.

What is Trump’s Gaza peace plan?

On Monday, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point plan to end the Israel-Gaza war, under which Gaza Strip is to be temporarily governed by a Palestinian technocratic government, with no role for Hamas, and Israel will not annex Gaza, Al Jazeera reported.

The plan mandates Hamas to release all Israeli hostages and return the mortal remains of 20 others who are presumed dead. Adam Boehler, the US presidential envoy for captive affairs, has asked Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal to accept the 20-point plan put forward by Trump, describing it as a deal where “everyone wins.”

Trump’s plan also calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip followed by a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from the region, and the complete disarmament of Hamas.

But hours after the peace plan was announced, Netanyahu declared that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will not withdraw from Gaza, and Tel Aviv would not recognize Palestinian statehood under any condition.