The Israeli government announced that it approved early Friday the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, which specifically includes Hamas releasing all hostages held in the territory, both alive and dead, Israel releasing Palestinian detainees and prisoners, a ceasefire, and the delivery of aid to the devastated sector.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that “the government has just approved a framework for the release of all hostages – whether alive or dead.”

The approval of the agreement marks a key milestone towards ending the two-year-long war in the besieged and devastated Palestinian territory, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and a humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

According to Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Badressian, “the agreement will only come into effect within 24 hours of its ratification.”

She explained that under the agreement, Hamas must “release all our hostages, both alive and dead, within a maximum of 72 hours after the ceasefire comes into effect, that is by Monday.”

She added that within 24 hours of the ceasefire coming into effect, Israeli forces will withdraw from some areas where they are deployed, “but will maintain control over 53% of Gaza’s territory.”