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Netanyahu Confirms Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release Deal Has Been Finalised

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JERUSALEM, Israel – The Israeli government has confirmed a deal with Hamas to implement a ceasefire and facilitate the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, marking a pivotal moment in the protracted Israel-Gaza conflict.

The agreement was announced Friday, January 17, 2025, by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, following intense negotiations involving representatives from Israel, Hamas, the United States, and Qatar.

The deal, signed in Doha, had faced delays due to last-minute disputes, with Netanyahu accusing Hamas of attempting to modify terms.

The agreement now awaits ratification by Israel’s security cabinet and the full government. Families of the hostages have been informed of the development.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani announced that the ceasefire is expected to take effect on Sunday, pending Israeli cabinet approval.

gaza, Supporters of Israeli hostages react to news on the Gaza ceasefire negotiations in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. | Ronen Zvulun/Reuters
Supporters of Israeli hostages react to news on the Gaza ceasefire negotiations in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. | Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Ceasefire and Hostage Release Terms

The first six-week phase of the deal will see 33 hostages, including women, children, and elderly individuals, released by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. During this period:

  • Israeli troops will withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza, moving eastward.
  • Hundreds of aid lorries will be allowed entry to Gaza daily to alleviate severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.
  • Displaced Palestinians will be permitted to begin returning to their homes.

Negotiations for a second phase, aimed at releasing all remaining hostages and achieving a full Israeli troop withdrawal, are set to begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire.

A third phase will focus on returning any remaining hostages’ bodies and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Divisions Within Israel

The deal has exposed political fissures within Israel’s government.

Right-wing ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have expressed staunch opposition, vowing to resign in protest.

However, they have indicated they will not join the opposition to topple Netanyahu’s government, provided military operations resume after the first phase of the ceasefire ends.

Hamas
Mourners pray next to the bodies of Palestinians who were killed during Israeli bombardment on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. | Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

Continued Violence

Despite the ceasefire announcement, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have continued, with 113 Palestinians killed since the deal was revealed on Wednesday, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.

Among the casualties are 28 children, with over 260 individuals injured. Israeli forces have reported targeting 50 locations in Gaza in response to ongoing threats.

Cease
Hanan Shaqoura embraces the body of her son, Mohammad, 7, who was killed during an Israeli attack on Gaza on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. | Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

Background on the Conflict

The deal follows months of devastating conflict that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

Israel’s subsequent military campaign aimed at destroying Hamas has resulted in over 46,788 deaths in Gaza, with widespread destruction and displacement affecting most of the territory’s 2.3 million residents.

Steps Toward Resolution

This agreement represents a potential turning point in the conflict, offering a fragile but critical opportunity for de-escalation.

As negotiations progress, international attention will focus on ensuring the deal is implemented effectively and on laying the groundwork for long-term peace and reconstruction in Gaza.

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