Israel has halted offensive operations in Gaza as the first phase of the ceasefire with Hamas came into effect. “We have stopped the offensive operations in Gaza,” Al Arabiya reported, citing the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The move marks the initial stage of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, designed to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and was reported to have taken effect at midday Thursday (0900 GMT), according to Egypt’s state-affiliated Al Qahera News.

However, Netanyahu’s office stated that the ceasefire agreement would only take effect after cabinet approval. “Contrary to Arab media reports, the 72-hour countdown will begin only after the agreement is approved in the cabinet meeting, which is expected in the evening hours,” the statement sai

See Full Page