Tel Aviv, Israel – October 4, 2025
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Saturday that its chief of staff, lieutenant‑general Eyal Zamir, called a special situation assessment after recent events in Gaza. The meeting was held at the request of Israeli leaders and focused on keeping soldiers safe and moving forward with the first phase of the Trump‑led hostage‑release plan.
Planning for the first phase of the Trump plan
The IDF’s post on X confirmed that General Zamir has ordered a full‑scale readiness effort to execute the plan that President Donald Trump introduced earlier this week. The plan aims to release Israeli hostages held by Hamas and to end the fighting in Gaza. The IDF said it will channel all military resources to the Southern Command, the area closest to the front lines, to protect troops while the operation moves forward.
Keeping IDF troops safe
“We keep the safety of our soldiers as our highest priority,” the IDF wrote. The chief of staff stressed that every IDF unit must stay on high alert and respond quickly to any threat. The statement reassured the public that the army is prepared to adjust its strategy as needed.
Political engagement and U.S. cooperation
Earlier on Saturday, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, issued a statement saying Israel would continue to work closely with President Trump following the U.S. president’s call for progress on the hostage‑release proposal. The post was later removed from X but the message was clear: Israel is committed to the Trump plan.
President Trump posted a video message after Hamas confirmed it was ready to discuss the details of the plan. Trump highlighted his hope that the deal would bring hostages home and described the day as “unprecedented.”
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid welcomed the development. He urged the government to support the U.S.‑led process and announced that Israel will participate in the negotiations led by the president. Lapid added that he had told Washington that the Israeli government holds the political backing at home to continue the effort.
Hamas’s response
Hamas released a statement saying it will give all Israeli hostages – dead or alive – back in response to the 20‑point Gaza peace plan it presented earlier this week. The group also said it is ready to enter into talks immediately through the designated mediators, according to a Telegram post quoted by Al Jazeera.
With the front lines tense and the hostage‑release negotiations moving forward, Israel’s military and political leaders are closely coordinating to protect soldiers and bring the conflict to a resolution.
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