BREAKING: ISRAEL, HAMAS FINALIZE DEAL – FIRST HOSTAGES COULD BE HOME BY SUNDAY – CEASEFIRE TO BEGIN IN GAZA
Trump first to announce agreement on his social media site
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL — On the 467th day of the war, Israel and Hamas have finalized a deal to pause the war and release hostages, working closely with U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian mediators.
President-elect Donald J. Trump was the first senior official to announce and confirm the news via social media.
"WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST," the incoming American Commander-in-Chief announced on Truth Social at noon eastern (7pm Israel time). "THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!"
Senior Israeli officials are very appreciative of the role the Biden administration has played in seeking to secure a deal, however, several have told ALL ISRAEL NEWS that they believe it has been Trump's ultimatum to Hamas that there will be "ALL HELL TO PAY" for the terrorist organization if all the hostages are not released by the time he takes the oath of office on Monday, Jan. 20.
The deal is expected to be signed in the coming hours.
Israel's security cabinet is expected to meet on Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m. Israel time to formally approve the deal.
"President Biden rightfully got the credit for the November 2023 hostage deal that gave us back 100 women and children," wrote veteran Israeli journalist Amir Tibon on 𝕏 moments ago.
"President Trump deserves all the credit for today's deal, that will bring us back all remaining hostages. And today's deal was way more difficult to achieve."
Later in the evening, Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and then U.S. President Joe Biden announced that a deal was reached, and confirmed first details.
The ceasefire will begin on Sunday with the release of the first of the 33 Israeli hostages set to be released in the first phase.
The first phase will last six weeks, with around 3-4 additional hostages set to be released every week.
During this phase, Israel and Hamas will discuss the details regarding a second phase, with the goal being a final end to the war in Gaza.
This is a rapidly developing story and we will publish more details soon.
Joel C. Rosenberg is the editor-in-chief of ALL ISRAEL NEWS and ALL ARAB NEWS and the President and CEO of Near East Media. A New York Times best-selling author, Middle East analyst, and Evangelical leader, he lives in Jerusalem with his wife and sons.
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