Israeli source says pause in Gaza operations is not an official ceasefire

Israel Hayom reported on Sunday statements from a prominent Israeli political source who said the decision to halt Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip is not an official ceasefire, but is intended to give Hamas an opportunity to begin the preparations necessary to release prisoners as part of the first phase of the Trump plan.

The source explained that “the official truce has not yet begun, but it will require Hamas to release all prisoners within three days of its start,” stressing that the military is not currently withdrawing, although “tactical improvements” may be carried out on the ground to protect forces deployed inside the Strip.

He added: “We are closely monitoring everything that is happening on the ground, and we will prevent any attempt by Palestinian factions to exploit the situation to launch attacks or to reorganize their forces on the ground,” he said.

These remarks come amid signs that the first phase of a potential agreement, which would include a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange, may be imminent, under intense U.S. and regional pressure.