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Israel ordered its military Saturday to halt operations to occupy Gaza City and prepare for implementing the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan, according to Israeli army radio and other media reports.
Military activities will be kept to a minimum with forces operating only in defensive mode, Israeli army radio reported. The radio's correspondent Doron Kadosh wrote on X that "this means: The operation to occupy Gaza City has been halted for now."
Israeli army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir instructed the military to prepare for implementing the first phase of Trump's plan regarding the release of hostages, according to a statement from political leadership.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said Israel is preparing to implement the first phase of Trump's plan, which calls for the immediate release of all hostages.
"Israel is preparing to implement the first phase of Trump's plan, which provides for the immediate release of all hostages," the office said in a statement.
The office said Israel will continue working with Trump and his team "to end the war in accordance with the principles Israel has set forth and in line with Trump's vision."
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, head of the Yesh Atid party, expressed support for implementing Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan.
Lapid said on X that Trump was right to describe his plan as "an unprecedented opportunity" for ending attacks and releasing hostages.
"Israel needs to announce it will participate in negotiations led by President Trump to clarify the final details of the agreement," Lapid said.
Gaza's civil defense agency said Saturday that Israel carried out dozens of airstrikes and artillery shelling on Gaza City despite Trump's appeal to end bombardments after Hamas accepted a ceasefire deal.
"It was a very violent night, during which the [Israeli army] carried out dozens of airstrikes and artillery shelling on Gaza City and other areas in the Strip, despite President Trump's call to halt the bombing," civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told Agence France-Press (AFP).
Bassal, whose agency operates under Hamas authority, said 20 homes were destroyed in the overnight bombardments.
Hamas accepted the hostage exchange portion of Trump's Gaza plan and said other provisions require negotiation.
Trump responded to Hamas' statement, saying, "Based on the statement just made by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting peace. Israel must immediately halt the bombardment of Gaza so we can get the hostages out quickly and safely."
Israeli media reported the military received orders to reduce attacks in Gaza and negotiations are expected to begin soon.
Under Trump's plan, if parties agree, "the war will immediately end" and "Israeli forces will withdraw to an agreed-upon line to prepare for the release of hostages."
More than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, when Israel has conducted intense attacks and maintained a tight blockade.
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