In Jerusalem, preparations are underway for the start of negotiations over the implementation of Trump's Gaza Plan, with top priority being the swift release of all hostages. The negotiating teams were told to be ready to leave, although it is still unclear where the discussions will take place.
Meanwhile, preparations will begin to receive hostages and the bodies of fallen soldiers, involving the IDF, hospitals, police, the Israel Prison Service (for the release of prisoners), and other agencies. Coordination meetings will be held across these institutions on Saturday night local Israeli time.
According to diplomatic sources, the talks will be conducted in two stages. The first and immediate phase will include a ceasefire, phased IDF withdrawal from Gaza in parallel with the release of the hostages, the release of imprisoned terrorists in Israel, and the reopening of supply routes throughout the Strip.
Israel has instructed the IDF to halt offensive operations. The chief of staff ordered troops to focus on defense, while maintaining control of the Gaza neighborhoods already captured. Security officials said the forces will continue to eliminate terrorists attempting to attack soldiers and will remain poised to resume the offensive at any time.
If the first stage is completed—and that remains a major "if"—the second stage will begin, with the participation of additional countries and international actors. This phase would address a comprehensive agreement to end the war and rebuild Gaza. Among the central issues expected to be discussed are the transfer of governance from Hamas to another entity, the disarmament of Hamas, and the exile of its leadership. The conference is expected to take place in Europe and to include the highest political levels, possibly even with the participation of US President Donald Trump.
Diplomatic officials expressed skepticism about the mediators' ability to "deliver," noting that Hamas had introduced numerous obstacles in its response and was expected to harden its position again under the cover of the ceasefire. Overnight, it was reported that the mediating countries—Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey—had conveyed a message to Trump stating that Hamas would accept all the terms of his plan, and that they would ensure the negotiations do not drag on but instead produce that outcome.
A diplomatic source involved in the talks told Israel Hayom that this was the background to Trump's positive remarks regarding Hamas' response. According to the source, the mediators clarified that Hamas had agreed in principle to the entire plan, even if it objected to some clauses, and that in the negotiations to be held within the framework of an international conference, its main demand would be guarantees for the ceasefire and the IDF's withdrawal.
