The Israeli military announced on Thursday that it has begun operational preparations to implement the newly agreed Gaza ceasefire deal, marking a significant step toward putting into action the first phase of the peace plan reached between Israel and Hamas.
In a statement shared on its official Telegram channel, the Israeli army said that the move followed directives from the political leadership and came after a comprehensive situational assessment. “Following the political echelon’s instructions and due to the situational assessment, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has begun operational preparations ahead of the implementation of the agreement,” the statement read.
The IDF added that preparations and combat protocols are being finalised to enable a transition to “adjusted deployment lines” in the coming days. “As part of this process, preparations and a combat protocol are underway to transition to adjusted deployment lines soon,” the statement said, emphasizing that troops remain deployed across key areas and are “prepared for any operational development.”
The army’s comments come after Israel and Hamas announced an agreement to begin the first phase of a U.S.-brokered Gaza peace plan that includes a ceasefire, the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops, the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the expansion of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the second-largest armed group in Gaza after Hamas, issued a statement highlighting that the ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange were achieved through the immense sacrifices of the Palestinian people rather than as a concession from any foreign mediator.
“The ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange are not a gift from anyone,” the PIJ said. “We emphasise the enormous sacrifices made by our Palestinian people, and the courage and bravery of its fighters on the ground who confronted the enemy forces and showed unprecedented courage in combat.”
The group further paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the conflict, saying, “In these historic moments, our people will not forget their great martyrs who played the most important role in keeping the resistance steadfast.”
The ceasefire deal marks the first tangible breakthrough after months of war that has devastated Gaza, displaced millions, and sparked mounting international pressure on both sides to reach a truce. While Israel’s army is preparing for a gradual pullback, it continues to signal readiness for any “operational developments,” reflecting cautious optimism amid fragile hopes for peace.
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