Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that a deal to return hostages held in the Gaza Strip has been reached.
The announcement came a day after Netanyahu’s office said there were last minute snags in talks to free hostages in return for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Under the deal expected to begin Sunday, 33 hostages are set to be released over the next six weeks, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The remainder, including male soldiers, are to be released in a second phase that will be negotiated during the first. Hamas has said it will not release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.
Netanyahu said he will convene his security Cabinet on Friday and then the government to approve the ceasefire agreement.WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas better be finalized before his inauguration on Monday and said his involvement was crucial for the negotiation.
The U.N. estimates that the war has littered Gaza with over 50 million tons of rubble. That's roughly 12 times the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza. With over 100 trucks working full time, it would take over 15 years to clear the rubble away. JERUSALEM — Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threated on Thursday night to leave the government if Israel approves a ceasefire, but said his party would rejoin the government if fighting in Gaza continued.
A spokesperson for the EU Commission, Anouar El Anouni, confirmed Thursday that the EU was “updating our plans to possibly redeploy” to Rafah. On Thursday, the EU said it had approved 120 million euros, or some $123 million, worth of humanitarian aid to address food security, shelter and healthcare for Gaza.WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he “fully” expects the ceasefire deal in Gaza will be implemented as expected on Sunday, despite Israel pointing to a last-minute dispute with Hamas.
“We went to sleep happy. It’s a shame that they would deprive us of this happiness," said Karam Moeiliq. “Everyone has losses. It’s enough.” “We want peace. We want to live like everyone in the world is living," said Fayqa Hussein, a displaced woman from Jabaliya refugee camp. “We want to live in safety. We want to teach our children what they missed at school.”DAMASCUS—Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister made a landmark visit to Syria on Thursday, the first since Bashar Assad’s ouster, pledging to support the country’s recovery and calling on the international community to “swiftly” remove sanctions.
Al Thani said Israeli forces must withdraw from a U.N.-monitored buffer zone in Syria they captured last month. The ministry says the toll from Thursday’s strikes only includes bodies brought to two hospitals in Gaza City, and that the actual toll is likely higher. “It’s a very dangerous deal,” said Yehoshua Shani, whose son Ori Mordehai Shani was killed in battle in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. He believed the incoming Trump administration could exert more pressure on Hamas and secure better terms.
She specifically mentioned Russian citizen Alexander Trufanov, who was held in the Gaza Strip along other hostages. “Instead of receiving news of the truce, we received news of his martyrdom,” the journalist’s brother, Ismail al-Shaiyah, told the AP. In a statement, Akram al-Kaabi congratulated the Palestinian people and “freedom-loving” individuals worldwide on “this important development.”
“These sanctions must be lifted in order for people to live in better economic conditions and for security and economic stability to be achieved,” he added.JAKARTA — Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has welcomed the ceasefire and called for its immediate implementation, along with the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Middle East latest: Israel's Netanyahu says Gaza ceasefire deal is not completeIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late Wednesday that a ceasefire agreement with Hamas is still not complete and the final details are being worked out.
Read more »
Middle East latest: Gaza ceasefire held up by ‘crisis,’ Israeli PM saysIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that a 'last-minute crisis' with Hamas was holding up Israeli approval of a long-awaited ceasefire that would pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages. Israeli airstrikes, meanwhile, killed at least 72 people in the war-ravaged territory.
Read more »
Netanyahu Undergoes Prostate Removal Amid Gaza War and Corruption TrialIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is having his prostate removed, facing multiple crises including the Gaza war and ongoing corruption trial. His advanced age and health have been subject to scrutiny, raising concerns about his leadership capacity.
Read more »
Netanyahu Undergoes Prostate Surgery Amidst Gaza War and Domestic ScrutinyIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is undergoing prostate surgery on Sunday, prompting questions about his health and leadership capabilities during a period of intense crises.
Read more »
Netanyahu Undergoes Prostate Removal Amidst Gaza War and Corruption TrialIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces multiple crises as he undergoes prostate surgery. The procedure comes amidst the ongoing war in Gaza and his trial for alleged corruption.
Read more »
Netanyahu Undergoes Prostate Surgery Amidst Gaza War and Corruption TrialIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu successfully underwent prostate surgery, leading to a postponement of his corruption trial. The surgery takes place amidst ongoing crises, including the war in Gaza.
Read more »