update: the current From 11:40 a.m. on January 17, 2025 The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas appears to be back on track. According to Fox News, the first phase of the agreement has begun and hostage releases could begin as early as Sunday afternoon. We will provide further details in the future.
A ceasefire agreement was reached between Hamas and Israel postponed Based on final revision by Hamas. According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas has reportedly issued new demands on which prisoners to hold. to be replaced for hostages Currently being held In Gazam, CBN News Reported. In response, the Israeli cabinet delay convene until Hamas accepts “elements of the deal”.
Government spokesperson David Mensah told reporters on Thursday: The hostages' families were notified. Hamas said it had “added further demands that are inconsistent with the agreement reached with the mediator.”
“The details of the agreement have not yet been determined at this time.” Confirmed“The negotiating team continues to work toward a solution. The Israeli negotiating team is still in Doha, consistent with Israel's desire to finalize a hostage release agreement,” Mensah said in his speech. “
“Let me be clear: the government wants a final deal and we want it too.” it is For details Confirm. If we release the hostages with this agreement, Confirmedit will demonstrate Israel's strength, Israel's humanity, and Israel's unwavering dedication to its people,” he added.
Israel and Hamas initially reached a ceasefire deal on Wednesday that would see the release of 33 hostages in exchange for about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including a terrorist serving a life sentence for killing Israelis.
The deal was scheduled to take effect in three stages, with the first three hostages, two of them Americans, scheduled to be released this Sunday. stage 1 was expected Negotiations will last six weeks, with the second phase of negotiations taking place 16 days later. of negotiation This would have further ensured the release of the hostages and ultimately brought an end to the war.
The deal has been controversial, with Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist party threatening to withdraw from Prime Minister Netanyahu's coalition government.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar noted that the difficult decision to release terrorist prisoners could prevent Hamas from doing further harm to the hostages.
“But if we intention Postpone the decision, don't know how long to postpone it of them will survive. Therefore we must take very strict decision and pain. ”
Related articles: Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire, hostages expected to be released
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Alexi J. Rosenfeld / Stringer
First publication date is January 17, 2025.
