Statement from PM’s office made no mention of US president’s demand that Israel must stop bombing Gaza ‘immediately’

• Full report: Donald Trump orders Israel to ‘immediately’ stop bombing Gaza as Hamas agrees to free hostages

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has said that Israel is preparing for an “immediate implementation” of the first stage of Trump’s Gaza plan for the release of Israeli hostages after Hamas agreed to release hostages and some other terms in a US plan to end the war.

The Palestinian militant group on Friday issued its response to Trump’s 20-point plan after the US president gave Hamas until Sunday to accept or face grave consequences.