Israel has reportedly halted its Gaza City offensive, which began in September, after a request from U.S. President Donald Trump to stop strikes against the enclave. Israeli Army Radio and public broadcaster Kan said the order to pause the offensive came directly after Trump’s appeal. Under Trump’s proposed peace plan, Hamas must release all remaining hostages within 72 hours of Israel suspending military operations in Gaza and withdrawing its troops to an agreed‑upon line. Both Israel and Hamas have expressed readiness for a prisoner swap, although Israel has not officially responded to Trump’s call to halt strikes.
The U.S. government has instructed Israel to reduce its operations in Gaza to a minimum, limiting troops on the ground to defensive maneuvers. Despite this reduction, the Israeli army maintains that the area north of Wadi Gaza, including Gaza City, remains a dangerous combat zone. Residents have been advised to move south, as attempts to return to the area pose a significant risk. Aerial attacks across Gaza continued on Saturday, though they were less intense than before, and at least 20 people have been killed by Israeli strikes since dawn.
Trump’s peace plan also calls for the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 detainees arrested after October 7, 2023. Following the prisoner swap, a transitional government is expected to be established in Gaza—an apolitical body free from Hamas influence—to create a deradicalized, terror‑free zone that does not threaten its neighbors. Negotiations between Israeli and U.S. officials on the plan are slated to begin soon, and the international community will be closely watching the next steps in the negotiations and the implementation of Trump’s proposal.
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