President-elect Trump has announced that there is now a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in which the hostages, both American and Israeli, will be released.
Here’s what he said about the deal:
WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!
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!
Here’s what NBC News reports about the deal:
A ceasefire deal has been reached to end 15 months of fighting in the Gaza Strip, Hamas and Israeli officials and a source briefed on the negotiations told NBC News on Wednesday.
The hard-won agreement will also free dozens of hostages held in Gaza, as well as Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, bringing the first real break in violence since a weeklong truce expired Dec. 1, 2023.
The new follows weeks of talks brokered by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, amid a brutal winter for civilians in Gaza, as well as dramatic developments across the Middle East that have dealt setbacks to Iran, an Israeli foe.
Israel and Hamas have not officially announced a deal, although senior Hamas official Basem Naim confirmed to NBC News the militant group had agreed to it.
Another source with direct knowledge of the talks and an Israeli official briefed on the deal also confirmed the news.
Earlier Wednesday, a diplomatic source in Washington told NBC News that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was preparing to meet with his security Cabinet, where approval of the deal was expected quickly. He would then take the pact to the full Cabinet, which is also expected to approve.
Israel’s Supreme Court would have 24 hours to permit an appeal, so the earliest a ceasefire could go into effect would be Friday, the source said. The first group of hostages would come out Sunday, the person added.
The details about the deal aren’t known yet but if it’s not the complete surrender of Hamas or the complete release of the hostages, then I’m not sure it’s a good deal.
But we’ll wait and see. Trump’s own words suggest that Hamas is releasing all the hostages and hopefully that is true.
: It was reported that at the last minute Hamas demanded changes to the Philadelphia corridor but that they eventually dropped their demands. Netanyahu says there are still details to be worked out…
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office: In light of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s firm stance, Hamas backed down on its demand at the last minute to change the deployment of forces on the Philadelphi corridor. However, there are still several unfinished items in the outline, and we hope that the details will be finalized tonight.
JUST IN 🔴
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office:
In light of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s firm stance, Hamas backed down on its demand at the last minute to change the deployment of forces on the Philadelphi corridor.
However, there are still several unfinished items in the outline,…— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 15, 2025
: Kassy Akiva from Daily Wire says only 33 hostages will return by President-elect Trump’s inauguration:
Just want to make this clear: This hostage deal only has 33 hostages returning before January 20—which Trump gave as the deadline.
There are 98 hostages in Gaza.
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) January 15, 2025
🔴 : Fox News is reporting that Netanyahu’s office has said a deal has NOT been reached yet and that there are still details being worked out. I don’t know if this is from the statement above we posted via Open Source Intel or if this is a separate statement. I’ll add it here as soon as I figure it out…
I believe their reporting mirrors that of the AP, which writes:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says ceasefire deal with Hamas has still not been reached and that the final details were still being sorted out. That comes after multiple mediators had said Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza and the release dozens of hostages after more than 15 months of war.
: Joyce Karam with Al Monitor reports on the basic structure of the deal:
UPDATE: Gaza Ceasefire
• Deal reached: Day 466 of war
• Announcement in Doha
• 3-Phase Deal
• Phase 1: 42 day ceasefire, 33 hostages released, 100s of Palestinian prisoners
• Phase 2: rest released
• Phase 3: Gaza Governance, reconstruction https://t.co/nXjG2pKL8k— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) January 15, 2025
🔴 : Fox News now suggests that the fuller statement from Netanyahu’s office suggests a deal has been made and blamed their earlier declaration about Netanyahu saying a deal had not been reached on the Associated Press.
So in other words it sounds like there is a deal and the final details are still being worked out.
