Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published an unusual message responding to US President Donald Trump's demand that Israel immediately cease bombing Gaza.
"Following Hamas's response, Israel is preparing for the immediate implementation of the first stage of President Trump's plan for the immediate release of all the hostages," the statement read.
"We will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team in order to bring the war to an end in accordance with the principles set forth by Israel, which are consistent with President Trump's vision."
On Friday, US President Donald Trump issued a statement in response to Hamas’s reply to his proposal for an end to the war in Gaza.
Even though Hamas had not agreed to all the points in Trump’s plan and called for negotiations, Trump in his statement welcomed Hamas’s response as a positive one, claiming Hamas is ready for peace and calling on Israel to stop its strikes on the Gaza Strip.
“Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that,” Trump wrote in a statement posted to his Truth Social account.
He added, "We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East."