WASHINGTON — The Israeli government approved the first phase of President Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza, paving the way for the release of Hamas-held hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

"The government has just now approved the framework for the release of all of the hostages – the living and the deceased," the Israeli Prime Minister's office said in a statement.

The approval of the initial stage of the plan represents a milestone in the effort to bring the two-year war to a close and came after debate of the plan by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's Cabinet on Oct. 9. Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff participated in the discussion.

Irsrael and Hamas agreed to a deal on Oct. 8 , with Trump announcing it on social media.

"This means that A

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