On Saturday, Israeli army radio reported that the political leadership has ordered the military to halt its campaign in Gaza City. This comes as Israel prepares for the initial phase of Donald Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of all hostages.
The Israeli military stated it was directed to enhance readiness for the first part of Trump’s plan. Army radio indicated that operations in Gaza would be scaled back to a minimum, with troops only authorized to conduct defensive strikes.
These orders followed a late Friday demand from U.S. President Donald Trump for Israel to stop bombing Gaza, after Hamas partially accepted his proposal to conclude the nearly two-year conflict.
Despite Trump’s call, Israel continued strikes on the Gaza Strip and maintained its siege of Gaza City on Saturday.
In the day’s violence, at least six Palestinian civilians, including two children, were killed in Israeli attacks on a house in Gaza City and a tent sheltering displaced people in al-Mawasi. Additionally, drones struck a crowd near a bakery in central Gaza City, resulting in dozens of deaths, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.
On Saturday morning, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned residents in a social media post not to return to northern Gaza or Gaza City, where Israeli forces remain active.
Hamas has agreed to release all 48 remaining hostages and relinquish governance of the Gaza Strip, while seeking further negotiations on other aspects of the proposal. Trump interpreted Hamas’s response as a sign of readiness for peace.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office affirmed on Friday that Israel is committed to ending the war. With Trump’s endorsement of Hamas’s acceptance, Netanyahu faces pressure to implement the plan, which has gained broad international and domestic support.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid described Trump’s plan as a “genuine opportunity to release the hostages and end the war,” pledging political support for Netanyahu to pursue further negotiations.
Israeli media reported that negotiating teams have been instructed to resume talks to execute the first phase of Trump’s plan.
Although many details and the final implementation remain unclear, momentum appears to be building toward an agreement. Positive statements from both Hamas and Trump suggest that an end to the war may be nearer than in recent months, though past ceasefire efforts have faltered during negotiations despite similar momentum.
A senior Hamas official told Agence France-Presse on Saturday that Egypt is arranging a conference for Palestinian factions to decide on Gaza’s postwar future, a step Hamas outlined as part of moving forward with Trump’s plan.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a hardline militant group aligned with Hamas, expressed support for Hamas’s response, stating it reflects the position of Palestinian resistance factions. PIJ’s backing is significant, as the group holds Israeli hostages, indicating broader militant support for the plan within Gaza.
Trump’s 20-point plan includes an immediate ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages within 72 hours in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and a transitional authority for the strip led by Trump himself. The plan also calls for a major increase in aid to Gaza, parts of which are facing severe humanitarian conditions.People are lining up for food at Nuseirat camp as parts of Gaza face famine caused by an Israeli blockade, while efforts to rebuild the devastated strip continue.
In its response to the Trump plan, Hamas made no mention of disarming, a topic that will likely need to be addressed in future talks. The plan is widely viewed as unfavorable to Hamas, while Israel is required to make few concessions. Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza are desperate for peace after nearly two years of intense bombing, hunger, and displacement.
According to the Gaza health authority, Israel’s war has killed at least 67,074 Palestinians and injured around 170,000, with the majority reported to be civilians. The conflict began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
A UN commission of inquiry and the world’s leading association of genocide scholars have both concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. Israel denies these allegations, stating it has acted solely in self-defense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the situation where Israel has announced a halt to its campaign in Gaza City but continues strikes across the Gaza Strip written in a natural tone with clear direct answers
Basic Understanding Definitions
1 What does it mean that Israel halted its campaign in Gaza City
This typically means the largescale intensive ground invasion and major coordinated attacks in that specific urban area have been officially paused or scaled back significantly
2 If the campaign is halted why are strikes still happening across Gaza
A halt or pause often refers to a specific largescale military operation It does not necessarily mean a complete ceasefire Israel has stated it will continue targeted strikes on what it identifies as Hamas militants rocket launchers tunnels and other threats throughout the entire Gaza Strip
3 What is the difference between a halt a pause and a ceasefire
HaltPause A temporary stop or scaling back of a specific military operation Other military actions can continue
Ceasefire A more formal and comprehensive stop to all military actions for a set period usually to allow for diplomacy or humanitarian aid
Reasons and Strategy
4 Why would Israel halt in one area but keep fighting in others
Military strategy often involves shifting focus They may have achieved key objectives in Gaza City and are now concentrating forces on other Hamas strongholds like Khan Younis or Rafah It allows them to apply pressure in multiple areas
5 What are the stated goals of continuing strikes outside Gaza City
The stated goals are to dismantle Hamass military capabilities rescue hostages and prevent the group from regrouping and firing rockets into Israel
6 Is this part of a broader peace process or negotiation
It can be A tactical halt can be used to create a window for diplomatic negotiations hostage exchanges or to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid even while military pressure is maintained elsewhere
Impact and Consequences
7 How does this affect civilians in Gaza
The continuation of strikes means the humanitarian crisis and danger for civilians persist Even if one area becomes slightly safer people in other regions are under direct threat and displacement continues
8 Does this mean the war is ending
No not necessarily A halt in one sector while fighting continues in
