The Israel Defense Forces announced the ceasefire is now in effect in Gaza after the Israeli government approved the first phase of President Donald Trump's peace plan.

An Oct. 10 statement from the IDF says Israeli forces have repositioned "along the updated deployment lines" and are preparing for the return of hostages held in Gaza. The statement warns that the troops "will continue to remove any immediate threat."

The approval of the initial stage of Trump's 20-point peace plan represents a milestone in the effort to bring the two-year war to a close and came after hours of debate by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Cabinet on Oct. 9 and a presentation by Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

Negotiators for Israel and Hamas agreed to the deal on Oct. 8, with Trump announcing it on social media.

"This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace," Trump wrote at the time.

The first phase of Trump's plan called for the release of Israeli hostages within 72 hours of an agreement being reached in exchange for Palestinians jailed in Israel.

U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff wrote on social media Oct. 10 that the 72-hour period has begun.

The agreement comes after multiple failed attempts to defuse the two-year-old war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel and killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 people hostage.

Hostages are likely to begin to be released on Monday, Oct. 13, although they could be returned sooner, U.S. officials have said. Of the 48 remaining hostages in Gaza, 20 are believed to be alive.

Trump is expected to visit the Middle East in the next several days and said on Oct. 9 that he would address the Israeli Knesset if he were invited.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ceasefire takes effect in Gaza after first phase of Trump's peace plan approved

Reporting by Zac Anderson and Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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