Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that Israel was preparing for an “immediate implementation” of the first stage of Trump’s Gaza plan for the release of Israeli hostages following Hamas’ response. Trump said he believed Hamas had showed it was “ready for a lasting PEACE” and he put the onus on Netanyahu’s government. “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Israel, which backs Trump’s proposal, has not yet commented on the Hamas response or on Trump’s demand for an end to bombing in Gaza. Hamas has previously offered to release all hostages and to hand over administration of the Gaza Strip to a different body.