Protests supporting Gaza take place in Europe

Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees issued statements on Saturday expressing their support for Hamas' response to the proposed Gaza ceasefire deal, after Hamas said it was ready to release all hostages.

PIJ and the PRC -- both recognized as terrorist organizations in the U.S. -- said in separate posts to Telegram that they were consulted by Hamas on President Donald Trump's proposed ceasefire agreement.

Hamas' response -- which said the group was ready to release all hostages but that more negotiations were needed for a full agreement -- was "an expression of the position of the Palestinian resistance forces," PIJ said.

The PRC praised the "constructive and responsible stance of Hamas, on behalf of the Palestinian forces and factions."

"The time has come for this occupation to be lifted from our land," the PRC said. "Our people have the right to live a dignified life without killing, destruction, displacement and settlement."

The Israel Defense Forces said in a post to social media on Saturday morning that Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir convened a meeting with top commanders "to advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of the Trump plan for the release of the hostages."

"At the same time, it was emphasized that the safety of IDF troops is a top priority and that all IDF capabilities will be allocated to the Southern Command to ensure the protection of the troops," the statement added.

"All troops must maintain high alertness and vigilance, in addition to reinforcing the need for a rapid response to neutralize any threat," Zamir said, as quoted in the IDF's statement.

Following Hamas' response Friday to Trump's Gaza peace plan, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement, saying Israel is now "preparing for the immediate implementation of the first stage of President Trump's plan for the immediate release of all the hostages."

The statement, originally in Hebrew, went on to say: "We will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team in order to bring the war to an end in accordance with the principles set forth by Israel, which are consistent with President Trump's vision."

Following Hamas' response to Trump's Gaza proposal, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "immediately begin efficient and swift negotiations to bring all our hostages home."

"President Trump's demand to stop the war immediately is essential to prevent serious and irreversible harm to the hostages," the organization said in a statement.