President Donald Trump has announced that Israel is preparing to start the initial phase of withdrawal as part of a peace initiative to address the long-standing conflict in Gaza.
In a message on Truth Social, Trump stated that Israel has agreed to the preliminary withdrawal line after negotiations, which has been shared with Hamas. Once Hamas confirms, an immediate ceasefire will be enforced, leading to the commencement of a Hostage and Prisoner Exchange program, paving the way for the subsequent withdrawal phase. Trump expressed gratitude for the attention to this critical matter and urged everyone to stay tuned.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed optimism that the hostages in Gaza would be liberated “in the coming days.”
Late on Saturday, Netanyahu disclosed that a delegation had been dispatched to Egypt to finalize technical details, with the aim of completing negotiations within a few days.
Despite this progress, Netanyahu indicated that a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza may not occur, a condition Hamas has persistently demanded for a ceasefire, according to reports from the Express US.
Netanyahu clarified that Israel’s military would retain control over certain territories in Gaza, with the disarmament of Hamas slated for the plan’s second phase, either through diplomatic means or by military action.
Following Israel’s airstrikes on the Gaza strip, which led to at least 22 casualties, President Trump intervened by ordering a halt to the bombardment, emphasizing the need for lasting peace and urging Israel to cease the bombing immediately.
Hamas has committed to releasing all surviving Israeli captives, living or deceased, and has shown a willingness to engage in discussions regarding President Trump’s 20-point peace plan through intermediaries.
The peace proposal includes the release of the remaining 48 captives in Gaza within a three-day timeframe.
This week marks the second anniversary since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which originated on October 7, 2023, with Hamas-orchestrated terror attacks at a music festival, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the capture of 251.
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