This development reportedly follows a partial agreement by Hamas to a peace proposal put forth by Trump.
The Israeli political leadership has instructed the IDF to cease its offensive in Gaza City, which began in September.
Sources including Israeli Army Radio and public broadcaster Kan indicate that this directive came after US President Donald Trump urged West Jerusalem to discontinue its attacks on the enclave, aiming to conclude the conflict and secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas.
As per Trump’s initiative, the Palestinian militant faction is required to release all remaining captives within 72 hours of Israel pausing military actions in Gaza and retracting its forces “to the agreed upon line.”
While both Israel and Hamas have expressed their willingness for the prisoner exchange, West Jerusalem has yet to formally respond to Trump’s request for Israel to cease its assaults on Gaza.
On Saturday, Army Radio reported that the US administration had directed Israel to scale down its operations in Gaza “to the minimum,” with ground troops exclusively conducting defensive actions.
In a Saturday statement posted on X, the Israeli military declared that the region north of Wadi Gaza, encompassing the now-devastated Gaza City, is “still regarded as a perilous combat zone” and urged residents there to relocate southward.
It further stated that Israeli forces maintain their encirclement of Gaza City, and “returning there presents a substantial danger.”
Air strikes throughout Gaza persisted earlier on Saturday, “though with significantly reduced intensity,” as reported by Al Jazeera. Israeli assaults across the enclave have resulted in at least 20 fatalities since daybreak.
Kan indicated that discussions between Israeli and US officials concerning Trump’s plan are anticipated to take place shortly.
A key component of Trump’s peace initiative involves the liberation of 250 Palestinian detainees serving life terms, alongside 1,700 individuals arrested following October 7, 2023.
Following these exchanges, a non-political, Hamas-free interim administration is slated for establishment in Gaza, with the goal of transforming it into “a deradicalized, terror-free region that poses no threat to its adjacent territories.”