by Israel National News
The hostage deal between Israel and Hamas is expected to be signed as early as Wednesday night and the first hostages my be released on Sunday.
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| Photos of Hostages Chaim Goldberg/Flash90 |
Israeli officials said on Wednesday that there has been a breakthrough in the negotiations to reach a deal with the Hamas terror organization to return the Israeli hostages. "We're working on tying up the last loose ends before a final agreement," the officials stated, noting that the agreement will most probably be signed later in the evening or on Thursday.
If the deal were to be signed on Thursday, the first three hostages could be expected to be released on Sunday. On the seventh day of the deal, four hostages will be released, on the 14th, 21st, 28th, and 35th days three will be released, and during the final week, the remaining 14 hostages will be released.
Live Updates:
Wednesday, January 15th:
8:11 p.m.: According to the deal, the IDF's withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor will be gradual.
8:08 p.m.: The IDF's mission to prepare for the return of the hostages will be called "Wings of Freedom."
7:52 p.m.: The Prime Minister's Office stated that "due to the strong insistence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas folded on its last-minute demand to change the deployment of IDF forces in the Philadelphi Corridor. However, several items in the framework have yet to be finalized; we hope that the details will be finalized tonight."
7:38 p.m: Israel has agreed to double the number of aid truck entering Gaza from 300 to 600.
7:34 p.m.: Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed who have been held hostage by Hamas since 2014 and 2015 respectively, will reportedly be released on the sixth day of the deal.
7:26 p.m.: President-elect Donald Trump: "This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.
"With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven. We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords. This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the World!
"We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!"
7:20 p.m.: Incoming White House Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff told N12: "This deal has been reached thanks to many and it illustrates that a policy of peace through strength wins. Thank you to the Israeli negotiation team, thank you to the Qatris, thank you to Egypt, thank you to the Biden administration, and most of all, thank you to Donald Trump whose policy of peace through strength his what won."
7:17 p.m.: Israeli President Isaac Herzog met now with the President of the International Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, and her team, who are visiting Israel as part of preparations for the hostage deal.
During the meeting, President Herzog emphasized the utmost importance and sensitivity of this mission. The Red Cross team briefed the President on the preparations for the transfer of the hostages and the various challenges they face.
7:05 p.m.: US President-elect Donald Trump writes on Truth Social: "WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!"
7:00 p.m.: Reuters reports that in the hostage deal that is expected to be announced soon, Israel will free 30 imprisoned terrorists for ever civilian hostage Hamas releases and 50 imprisoned terrorists for every female soldier who is freed.
6:48 p.m.: An Israeli official has confirmed to Kan News that the disagreement surrounding the Philadelphi Corridor has been solved.
6:36 p.m.: Axios Barak Ravid says a senior US official has told him that a hostage and ceasefire deal has been reached.
6:30 p.m: Hamas says that a short time ago, its leadership gave its answer to the proposed deal to the mediators "The Hamas diplomatic bureau is currently holding an emergency meeting to discuss the mediators' proposal, Hamas will act responsibly and positively out of a commitment to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip to bring to the end of the aggressions."
6:06 p.m.: A senior diplomatic source says that at the last moment, Hamas decided to demand new conditions for the hostage deal.
"A short time ago, the Israeli negotiation team updated that the Hamas terror organization decided at the last moment to make new demands - this time regarding the Philadelphi corridor, this is in contrast to the maps that were approved by the Cabinet and the American mediators. Israel strongly objects to any changes to these maps."
5:58 p.m.: In light of reports about an imminent agreement, the members of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated that they welcome and deeply appreciate the return of every hostage - "each one representing hope and relief not only for their immediate family but for our entire community."
They added that they "urgently call for a framework that ensures the return of every person held captive.
"After more than 460 days, our loved ones continue to endure unimaginable. Though we celebrate each reunion, our mission remains unfinished until all hostages - both the living and the dead - are returned home. For the 30 hostages murdered in captivity, this agreement comes tragically too late.
"This agreement marks a crucial step, but it must be carried through to completion in all its stages. We hope it leads to a comprehensive deal ensuring everyone's safe return. We will not rest until we see the last hostage back home."
5:55 p.m.: Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar announced that he is concluding his diplomatic visit to Italy this evening, during which he met, among others, with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini, and Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio. Sa'ar also met with the President of Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana and members of the Italy-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Association. Additionally, he held a meeting with dozens of influencers and Israel advocacy activists in Italy and gave interviews to local media outlets.
Following the progress in the hostage release negotiations, Minister Sa'ar cut short the continuation of his diplomatic visit, which was scheduled to continue tomorrow in Hungary. He will return to Israel tonight to participate in the expected discussions and votes in the Security Cabinet and government.
5:45 p.m.: Prime Minister Netanyahu has begun a situational assessment with the negotiation team in Doha.
5:38 p.m.: Representatives of President Biden and President-elect Trump will attend the statement by the Qatari prime minister on the hostage deal.
5:12 p.m.: Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs said that the hostage deal includes the IDF remaining on the Philadelphi Corridor and the possibility of resuming combat operations in Gaza if Hamas does not advance to the next stages of the deal.
"The May 27 deal was approved by the US on August 16 and includes the map of IDF forces remaining in the Philadelphi Corridor, a perimeter along the entire Gaza border, and the possibility of returning to fighting at the end of Phase A if negotiations on Phases B and C do not mature in a way that ensures the realization of the war's goals: the military and governmental destruction of Hamas and the return of all the hostages," said Fuchs.
5:10 p.m.: Minister Bezalel Smotrich met with Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer to discuss the hostage deal.
5:08 p.m.: Report: Qatari PM will hold a press conference this evening to discuss the hostage negotiations.
4:53 p.m.: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene a situational assessment regarding the hostage deal at 5:30 p.m. Israel time.
4:28 p.m.: A Hamas source says the terror organization gave its verbal approval of the deal draft but has not yet approved it in writing.
4:01 p.m.: The Bibas family, whose loved ones Kfir and Ariel are the youngest hostages being held by Hamas, commented on reports that they will soon be released. "We are aware of reports stating that our family is included in phase one of the agreement and that Shiri and the children are among the first scheduled to be released. Given our experience with disappointments, we consider nothing final until our loved ones cross the border.
"We are waiting for certainty regarding their release and condition, and request not to be contacted during this sensitive time. We ask that people refrain from spreading rumors.
"We continue to appeal to the Prime Minister and demand the return of everyone until the last hostage is home."
3:16 p.m.: The Israeli Prime Minister's Office denied that Hamas had given a positive answer: "Contrary to reports, the Hamas terrorist organization has yet to provide an answer regarding the deal."
3:10 p.m.: A spokesman for the Prime Minister clarified that the terrorists who murdered the Fogel family will not be released as part of the hostage deal.
3:06 p.m.: Report: Israel's Security Cabinet will convene tomorrow morning to vote on the hostage deal.
3:05 p.m.: Sources with knowledge of the negotiations to I24News: Hamas has given the green light for the deal
The breakthrough in the negotiations comes after the Hamas leadership, during a decisive early-morning meeting, came to an agreement on all points and solved all disagreements. Mohammed Sinwar, leader of the Hamas terror group in Gaza and brother of arch-terrorist Yahya Sinwar, mastermind of the October 7 massacre, has granted a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal approval, "in principle," the Wall Street Journal reported.
According to the report, Sinwar's approval follows a full day of silence on the part of Hamas and comes hours after the terror group announced that the deal was in its final stages.
During the talks, Hamas accepted, according to the WSJ report, verbal guarantees from the US, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, that Israel will continue the negotiations for a permanent ceasefire following the end of the first stage of the deal.
Parallel to this, a Palestinian Arab source told Kan News that a breakthrough had occurred in negotiations, and an agreement is expected to be announced on Thursday.
The source added that a defining meeting had concluded during the early morning hours, during which Hamas leadership agreed on all points and all of the disagreements were resolved, including most - but not all - of the details on the maps for Israel's withdrawal from Gaza.
The source added that an agreement may begin to be implemented within 24-48 hours of it being announced.
Israel National News
Source: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/402333
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