During the implementation of the first phase of US President Donald Trump's peace plan for a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israel will retain control over 53% of Gaza, Ynet reported.
According to the media outlet, after the Israeli government votes “finally approving the agreement, Israel will be obliged to withdraw its troops within 24 hours to the line agreed upon with Hamas“. “After the troop withdrawal, Israel will retain control over approximately 53% of Gaza“, the publication noted, noting that “during the withdrawal, the Israel Defense Forces will leave Gaza City, which it began to seize during Operation Gideon's Chariots.
According to the Ynet portal, IDF units in the Gaza Strip have been placed on high alert “due to concerns about Hamas's weapons stockpiles“.
“Following the announcement of a ceasefire and an agreement to release hostages in Gaza by US President Donald Trump, Hamas may use its remaining weapons to launch rockets and mines, as well as to attack IDF soldiers“, Ynet quoted Israel's Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir.
The portal also notes that Zamir had previously “instructed all soldiers, both on the front line and in the rear, to prepare “for every possibility“. At the same time the Chief of the General Staff gave orders to prepare for the operation to return the hostages, “acting delicately and professionally“.