Netanyahu says ceasefire agreement reached

The office of the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced this Friday (17 January 2025) that the ceasefire and hostage release agreement had been reached. The security cabinet must approve the truce with Hamas, one day after the agreement. The conflict has lasted 15 months.

On Thursday (January 16, 2025), the day after the ceasefire was announced, Israeli warplanes carried out attacks in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian authorities said at least 86 people had died. The information was released by the Reuters agency.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been informed by the negotiating team that agreements have been reached on the release of the hostages.”the Israeli leader’s office said in a statement. Previously, the Israeli leader had said that Hamas had carried out “last minute concessions”blaming the group for the delay in approving the ceasefire.

Qatar and the United States, which acted as mediators in the negotiations, announced on Wednesday (15 January 2025) a truce agreement between Israel and Hamas. Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, however, insisted that there were still outstanding issues in the agreement. White House spokesman John Kirby said the United States government believes the agreement is on track and looks forward to a ceasefire. “at the end of this weekend”, according to CNN.

“The State of Israel is committed to achieving all war aims, including the return of all our hostages, both living and dead.”said the statement from the prime minister’s office published by the newspaper Times of Israel. Netanyahu’s office said the families of the hostages had been notified and that preparations to receive them were underway.

The agreement calls for an initial ceasefire lasting 6 weeks, with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces. Dozens of hostages taken by Hamas, including women, children, the elderly and the sick, would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.