Tel Aviv, Oct. 4 -- Soon after Hamas signalled its willingness to accept United States President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan announced earlier this week, the Israeli Defence Force confirmed that they are ready to implement "the first stage of Trump's plans to free the hostages", Times of Israel reported.

According to the report, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held talks with the top general of Israel to assess the situation in light of the development.

A statement from the military says that "per the order of the political echelon," Zamir instructed the Israel Defence Forces to gear up "for the implementation of the first stage of Trump's plans to free the hostages".

Earlier on Saturday, Israel said it would continue working in ...