- By Nidhi Giri
- Fri, 17 Jan 2025 10:37 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday said that the deal to return hostages held in Gaza Strip has been reached and that he had ordered the political-security cabinet to convene later in the day. The agreement, which includes a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners, faced unexpected delays which Netanyahu had attributed to disputes with Hamas.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed by the negotiating team that agreements have been reached on a deal to release the hostages," Prime Minister of Israel posted on X (formally Twitter).
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been updated by the negotiating team that agreements have been reached on a deal for the release of the hostages.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 17, 2025
"PM Benjamin Netanyahu has been updated by the negotiating team that agreements have been reached on a deal for the release of the hostages. The PM has directed that the Security Cabinet be convened later today (Friday). The Government will be convened later in order to approve the deal," Prime Minister of Israel posted.
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The statement added that the families of the hostages had been informed and that preparations were being made to receive them upon their return.
The Prime Minister's Office Authority for the Hostages and Missing has updated the families of the hostages.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 17, 2025
The Prime Minister has also directed the Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing to coordinate the preparations to receive the hostages upon their return to Israel.
His office had accused Hamas on Thursday of reneging on key parts of the agreement to extort last-minute concessions -- an allegation Hamas denied.
Israeli airstrikes have continued across Gaza, resulting in at least 72 casualties according to Gaza's health ministry. The airstrikes coincided with celebrations among Palestinians over the ceasefire deal.
If approved by Israel's cabinet, the truce agreement would begin on Sunday and involve the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, after which the terms of a permanent end to the war would be finalised.