As we reported Wednesday, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire/hostage release deal—but then, of course, negotiations hit snags, as talks often do when dealing with the terror group.
On Thursday night, however, those disagreements were evidently solved as reports indicate that the deal has now officially been signed by Israel, Hamas, U.S. and Qatari officials.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been informed of the agreement and has instructed a meeting with his political-security cabinet, which would be followed by a government meeting to approve the plan, his office said in a statement translated from Hebrew to English.
“The families of the hostages were informed a short while ago of the agreements by the Directorate for Hostages, Missing Persons, and Returnees in the Prime Minister’s Office,” the statement said. “Additionally, the Prime Minister instructed the Coordinator for Prisoners and Missing Persons to coordinate preparations for the reception of the hostages upon their return to Israel.”
Currently, the Israeli government is set to vote on the measure on Saturday, which would delay the release of the first three hostages until Monday.
Government officials cited last-minute issues with Hamas for the delay.
This doesn’t mean everything is a done deal, though: Israel’s security cabinet will meet on Friday, after which the government will convene to approve the deal.
Related: BREAKING: Israel, Hamas Agree on Ceasefire, Hostage Deal
SICK: Despite Ceasefire Agreement, New Hamas Leader Yearns for Another Oct. 7
Some Israelis are reported to be torn about the deal because although they will get at least some of their loved ones back, the cost is high. Here are some of the details:
Phase one is expected to start at some point Sunday and last for six weeks. This phase will feature a ceasefire, a withdrawal of Israeli troops, a swap of hostages and prisoners, and an influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza. US hostages held in Gaza will be released in that first phase, US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday.
The second and third phases are less developed, and the details will be decided during the first phase, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said in a briefing Wednesday.
For each hostage released, expect many more Palestinian prisoners to be freed by Israel in return.
Meanwhile, on the homefront, the question of who gets the credit—lame-duck President Joe Biden or President-elect Donald Trump—continues to be a big topic.
Biden: I got the Israel-Hamas deal done
Netanyahu: Thank you Trump for getting this deal done
Brutal. pic.twitter.com/HqED61euQx
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 16, 2025
Mess around and find out: Trump Tells Hamas What They Must Do ASAP or ‘All Hell Will Break Out’
The hostages were captured by Hamas after their savage surprise attack of October 7, 2023, where over 1,200 were murdered. Israel soon struck back, and the two sides have been at war ever since.
It’s difficult to have any faith in Hamas after their displays of barbarism and deceit. In light of their latest leader Khalil al-Haya’s statement Wednesday that he was “proud” of Oct. 7 and prayed for a repeat, it’s hard to see how peace in the region can last until the group is removed from the face of the earth.
Still, we pray for the hostages and for their safe return.
