Tel Aviv , Israel- October 5, 2025
The path to peace is always paved with complex negotiations, but recent statements from Israel’s leadership suggest that the first critical stage of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for the region is drawing to a close.
With “Trump’s Peace Plan” as the exciting beacon of hope for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, the Israeli government has instructed its military to ready itself for the next steps, signalling a significant and eagerly anticipated pivot in the nearly two-year conflict in Gaza.
The Israeli government is focused on implementing the initial provisions of the peace plan, which centre around a cessation of hostilities and the exchange of hostages and prisoners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel is committed to ending the war in full cooperation with President Trump. While the prompt referenced a specific statement from the Defence Minister about being “near to end” the first phase, official reports have noted that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has been formally instructed to “advance readiness” for the implementation of this first phase of the Trump plan.
This move follows a recent dramatic turn of events, including US President Trump’s order for Israel to halt its bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip after Hamas announced its conditional acceptance of certain elements of the peace proposal. This initial phase is widely understood to focus on achieving an immediate ceasefire and securing the return of the remaining hostages—believed to be approximately 48 individuals, with around 20 estimated to be alive.
The current Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, a veteran politician and key ally of Prime Minister Netanyahu, is at the forefront of this shift in military and political strategy. Appointed in late 2024, Minister Katz is overseeing the IDF’s preparations for transitioning to a defensive posture in Gaza, a change from the long-running offensive operations. The Defence Minister’s office has been central to executing the cabinet’s instructions to prepare for the peace plan’s initial stage, which would involve Israel withdrawing from much of the territory and releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages.
The potential completion of this first phase marks a monumental, though delicate, moment. The release of all hostages and the start of an effective ceasefire are the immediate, humanitarian goals that are now seemingly within reach. However, senior Hamas officials have indicated that other significant aspects of the 20-point plan—particularly those concerning the future governance of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian rights—require further detailed consultation and negotiation with other Palestinian factions. The immediate steps are clear, but the long-term political architecture remains the subject of intense, complex, and as-yet-unresolved negotiations.
The international community, including UN officials and key leaders in Europe, has universally welcomed the progress, calling upon all parties involved to seize this critical “opportunity to make decisive progress towards peace” and to implement the deal without delay. The commitment from both Israeli leadership and the conditional agreement from Hamas has injected a fresh, urgent sense of hope into a region long ravaged by conflict. The success of this first phase is seen as a crucial test for the broader peace agreement.
Headline Points on the Peace Plan Progress
* First Phase Focus: The initial phase of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan centres on securing an immediate ceasefire and the release of all remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
* Government Readiness: The Israeli government has formally instructed the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to “advance readiness” for implementing the plan’s first stage.
* Defensive Posture: As part of the transition, the Israeli military has begun moving to a defensive-only position in Gaza, significantly subsiding bombing activities following the US President’s recent order.
* Hostage Exchange: The first phase involves Hamas releasing all remaining hostages in exchange for Israel halting its offensive, withdrawing troops, and freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
* Ministerial Oversight: Defence Minister Israel Katz is overseeing the military’s compliance with the government’s directive, playing a central role in this strategic shift.
* Hamas Conditional Acceptance: Hamas has publicly agreed to the exchange formula for hostages and the idea of relinquishing power to an independent Palestinian body, but major disagreements remain on the future political control of Gaza.
* International Pressure: World leaders and the UN have strongly endorsed the process, urging all parties to implement the plan without delay to bring humanitarian relief and end the fighting.
