Israel’s army says it will advance preparations for first phase of Trump’s plan

Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli military strike in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel (Leo Correa/AP)

Israel’s army said that it would advance preparations for the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza and return all the remaining hostages, after Hamas said it accepted parts of the deal while others still needed to be negotiated.

The army said it was instructed by Israel’s leaders to “advance readiness” for the implementation of the plan.