Israeli military halts offensive operations in Gaza, prepares to implement first phase of Trump plan

Israeli media said on Saturday that the Israeli military received orders from the political leadership to halt the operation to occupy Gaza City and reduce its military operations in the Strip to a minimum, with its field duties in this phase limited to defensive purposes only.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said the decision came as part of preparations to implement the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan, following Hamas’s announcement that it had accepted the US proposal to end the war that has lasted more than two years in the Gaza Strip.

Reports said the Israeli chief of staff issued direct instructions to regional commanders and field units to stop all offensive operations and incursions into Gaza City, focus on consolidating current control lines and preventing any field escalation, in preparation for implementing the initial provisions of Trump’s plan, which include a phased ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees held by both sides.

In the same context, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an official statement that “Israel is preparing for the immediate implementation of the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to secure the release of hostages, in light of Hamas’s positive response to the US proposal.”

The statement added that Israel will continue its full cooperation with President Trump and his team to ensure “the end of the war according to principles set by Israel,” signaling continued security and political coordination between Tel Aviv and Washington during the plan’s implementation phases.

This development comes after intense US and regional pressure to halt military operations and begin a new political track aimed at consolidating a ceasefire in Gaza and preparing the ground for reconstruction, amid international anticipation over what the next phase of understandings between the parties will produce.