Israel PM office says ‘deal to release the hostages’ reached
Demonstrators celebrate as they gather in front of the parliament building to express their support for the Palestinians, in Rabat on January 16, 2025, following the news of a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Hamas and Israel. Israel’s Cabinet was set to vote on Friday, January 17, on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, an official said, with mediator the United States “confident” the accord would take effect as planned.- The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that a “deal to release the hostages” had been reached and that he had ordered the political-security cabinet to convene later in the day. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / Agence France-Presse)
JERUSALEM, Undefined — The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that a “deal to release the hostages” had been reached and that he had ordered the political-security cabinet to convene later in the day.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed by the negotiating team that agreements have been reached on a deal to release the hostages,” his office said in a statement.
The office of the Israel prime minister had accused Hamas on Thursday of reneging on key parts of the agreement to extort last-minute concessions – an allegation Hamas denied.
READ: Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire deal
“The Prime Minister ordered the political-security cabinet to convene tomorrow (Friday). The government will then convene to approve the deal,” Netanyahu’s office said.
Article continues after this advertisementIt added that the families of the hostages had been informed and that preparations were being made to receive them upon their return.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: What are the details of the ceasefire deal in Gaza?
If approved by Israel’s Cabinet, the truce agreement would begin on Sunday and involve the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, after which the terms of a permanent end to the war would be finalized.
It was announced by mediators Qatar and the United States on Wednesday, Jan. 15.