Israeli Forces Directs Army to Halt Operations on Gaza's Capital Amid Ongoing Airstrikes

The Israeli armed forces has been ordered to stop its campaign on the Gaza capital by government officials, according to national army radio on Saturday.

Through an official statement, the defense forces stated it was instructed to “enhance preparedness” for the first stage of the former US president's proposal to end the war in the territory and obtain the freedom of all hostages.

Scale-back in Combat Activities

Military radio reported that activities in the region would be diminished to “the minimum” with troops authorized exclusively to conduct protective actions.

The orders were issued as American leader Donald Trump demanded Israeli forces halt airstrikes on Gaza late on Friday evening.

Notwithstanding the US pressure, Israeli forces continued attacking the Gaza Strip and besieging Gaza City on the following day.

Civilian Fatalities Reported

No fewer than 6 Palestinian non-combatants, including two children, lost their lives in airstrikes on a house in Gaza City and shelter housing refugees in al-Mawasi.

Drones also targeted a gathering of individuals near a bakery in downtown Gaza, causing deaths of “dozens” of civilians, according to local media reports.

Warnings Issued to Civilians

Israeli military Arabic-language representative warned residents against returning to Gaza's north or Gaza City, where military forces continue activities, in a post on online platforms on Saturday early hours.

Hamas Reaction to Peace Plan

Hamas agreed to release the remaining captives and relinquish governing power of the Gaza Strip, while requesting discussions on other parts of the plan.

The former president stated that based on the group's reply, it was ready for peace.

Political Pressure and Backing

Officials of the national leader said on Friday that the nation was dedicated to ending the war in the region.

After US endorsement of Hamas’s acceptance, the prime minister will encounter demands to implement the initiative, which received widespread approval internationally and in Israel.

National political figure said on Friday evening that the proposal was a “genuine opportunity” to free the captives and terminate the war and that he supported additional negotiations to complete the agreement.

Discussion Groups Prepared

Israeli delegations have been instructed to prepare to restart discussions today to carry out the initial phase of the plan, according to Israeli media.

Progress Growing for Agreement

While numerous aspects of the plan and its final implementation remained unclear, momentum seemed to be building toward achieving a settlement.

Favorable statements by each of the group and the former president suggested that the possibility of an end to the war in the territory was more imminent than in previous periods, though previous ceasefire attempts have failed in the negotiation phase despite substantial progress supporting them.

International Participation

An high-ranking Hamas official informed news agencies on Saturday that Egypt was organizing a conference for Palestinian factions to determine on the post-war future of the Gaza Strip.

Armed Group Endorsement

The militant organization, a hardline armed faction aligned with Hamas, said it was in agreement with Hamas’s response to the Trump plan.

In a statement, they declared the response “represents the position” of the Palestinian resistance factions.

Endorsement of this group, which holds Israeli hostages, is a crucial indication that the main faction has the support of other armed organizations within Gaza to move forward with the Trump plan.

Proposal Details

The comprehensive plan includes:

  • An immediate cessation to fighting in the region
  • Freedom of the last captives detained in the territory within 72 hours
  • Exchange for over 1,000 detainees
  • Phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza
  • Weapons removal of Hamas
  • Interim administration of the territory led by the former president

Aid Elements

This initiative additionally included a increase of assistance to the region, areas of which are experiencing famine due to an restrictions on the area, and the reconstruction of the devastated territory.

The group's response to the proposal significantly did not include anything about laying down arms, an matter that presumably will have to be resolved in future negotiations.

Views of the Initiative

The Trump plan is mostly seen as unfavourable to Hamas. Israel, in return, has to make minimal compromises.

However, Palestinians in Gaza are eager to see an end to hostilities after almost 24 months of destructive bombing, hunger and evacuation.

Conflict Statistics

The military campaign in the region has killed at least 67,074 individuals and injured about 170,000 according to local health officials, which says the vast number of those killed were non-combatants.

The nation launched the conflict after Hamas-led fighters attacked the country on October 7th, 2023, causing deaths of about 1,200 individuals and taking two hundred fifty-one captive.

Global Evaluations

A UN commission, as well as leading academic associations, have determined that the nation has performed mass atrocities in the territory.

Israel denies the allegation, stating it has only acted in self-defence.

Wanda Poole MD
Wanda Poole MD

Environmental scientist and writer passionate about green living and sustainable practices.