Israel holds off on ceasefire announcement as Hamas adds new demands | Settlers attack residents of Huwara | Hamas celebrates Israeli 'defeat'

16:23 - Ceasefire crisis is 'solvable,' says source involved in talks

According to i24 News, a source involved in the ceasefire talks said the mediators believe the current crisis to be "solvable."

The emissaries of both President Joe Biden, as well as incoming President Donald Trump, are actively involved in the talks, the source added.

13:52 - Religious Zionism Party threatens to leave gov't if Israel doesn't resume war after deal's first stage

After a faction meeting, the Religious Zionism Party reiterated its threat to quit the government if the Israeli army will not return to fighting after the ceasefire deal's first stage.

"Besides longing for the return of all our hostages, the religious Zionist faction strongly opposes the deal," the party stated after the meeting on Thursday.

"The faction stands behind the demands of the party's chairman, Minister Bezalel Smotrich, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to ensure Israel's return to the war, to destroy Hamas and the return of all the hostages, with a change in the ways of thinking regarding decisions and victory, immediately at the end of the first phase of the deal."

The statement stressed that this is "a condition for the party remaining in the government and in the coalition."

13:42 - Netanyahu reportedly considers recalling Israeli delegation from Qatar

According to Channel 13 News citing a "senior official," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering to recall the Israeli delegation, which is currently conducting talks meant to finalize the ceasefire, from Qatar.

"The Prime Minister said that if there is no breakthrough in the next few hours, he will consider returning the Israeli delegation that is in Qatar," according to the Channel's diplomatic correspondent, Moriah Asraf.

"The reason for the dispute: Hamas demands a veto on a small number of terrorists who are considered 'symbols', Barghouti is not included in their demands. A senior member of the Prime Minister's circle tells me: If Hamas doesn't come down from its demands - no agreement will be reached."

Meanwhile, the report added that the mediating countries are signaling that the crisis will soon be resolved.

12:02 - Israel will not withdraw from Philadelphi Corridor, Israeli official asserts

A "senior political source" briefed Israeli media outlets that the IDF will not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, which runs along the Gaza/Egypt border, as part of the ceasefire deal.

"Contrary to the false reports, Israel does not withdraw from the Philadelphia axis. Israel remains in the corridor for the whole of Phase A, for all 42 days," the source said.

"The scope of the forces will remain its current size, but will be deployed in a different way - including outposts, patrols, observations and control along the entire length of the axis. During Phase A, starting on the 16th day, negotiations will begin on ending the war."

"If Hamas does not agree to Israel's demand for the end of the war (the fulfillment of the goals of the war), Israel will remain in the Philadelphi Corridor even on the 42nd day and of course on the 50th day as well. That means, in a practical way, that Israel remains in Philadelphi until further notice," the statement concluded.

11:47 - Hostage families informed of new Hamas demands, Israel holds off on official announcement

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) informed the hostage families that Hamas has added new demands, leading to a hold up in the talks meant to finalize the ceasefire talks.

According to the Department of Kidnapped, Hostages and Missing Persons at the PMO, it has informed the hostage families "that in recent hours Hamas has added demands that are contrary to the agreement with the mediators."

"As of this time, the details of the agreement have not yet been finalized and the negotiation team continues its efforts to reach a solution. Therefore, there is no official announcement yet about the success of the negotiations and the convening of the cabinet," the PMO stated.

10:32 - Israel says Hamas tries to withdraw from agreements

"Hamas has reneged on parts of the agreement reached with the mediators and Israel in an effort to extort last-minute concessions," the Prime Minister's Office stated.

"The Israeli Cabinet will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement," the statement added.

10:00 - Cabinet meeting for hostage deal postponed, talks over last details continue

The cabinet meeting during which the hostage deal was meant to be approved will be moved to later today, Channel 13 News reported.

There are still some unresolved issues that haven't been agreed upon yet, the report added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently heading a situation assessment regarding the ceasefire.

08:40 - Rocket fell in open area in Nir Am

Following sirens that sounded at 8:01 in Nir Am, the IDF announced that a fallen projectile was identified in an open area. The details are under review.

08:24 - Israeli cabinet to vote on hostage release deal later today 

Israel’s cabinet is expected to vote later this morning on the decision to formally ratify an agreement for a 42-day cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza.

The deal is expected to pass the vote, even if National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir carries through his threat to leave the government. Both Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have publicly opposed the deal, calling it a surrender to Hamas. 

08:05 - Sirens sound in Nir Am, Gaza Envelope

The IDF announced that sirens sounded in Nir Am, near the Gaza border.

08:00 - Israeli settlers attack Palestinian town of Huwara 

According to Palestinian reports, Israeli settlers entered the town of Huwara, attacking homes. 

Breaking 🚨: groups of Settlers terrorists are attacking the village of Hawara right now and Palestinian men are defending their village with stones. pic.twitter.com/3HfSIwlnY1

— Khalil Sayegh خليل الصايغ (@KhalilJeries) January 15, 2025

Tensions have flared in Huwara since several Israelis were killed there in 2023, which led to a settler-led attack on the town in February 2023.  

07:35 - Gaza authorities continue to report Israeli airstrikes as ceasefire deal approaches 

The Gaza Civil Defense reported seven people killed in IDF airstrikes in Gaza City just hours after the announcement of a hostage release ceasefire deal. The ceasefire deal is expected to take effect Sunday afternoon. 

03:30 - Hamas leaders calls ceasefire a defeat for Israel 

Senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, in a televised address, said that Israel failed to achieve its goals in Gaza. He also called the recently announced agreement a “historic moment”, describing it as a defeat for the Jewish state. 

“Our people have thwarted the declared and hidden goals of the occupation. Today we prove that the occupation will never defeat our people and their resistance,” al-Hayya stated. 

03:25 - Netanyahu accuses Hamas of trying to change decisions made in the agreement 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement, "Prime Minister Netanyahu held a conference call a short time ago with the negotiating team in Doha, which informed him of last-minute attempts by Hamas to retract the May 27 agreements.

Among other things, in contrast to an explicit clause that gives Israel veto power over the release of mass murderers who are symbols of terrorism, Hamas demands that the identity of these terrorists be dictated.

The prime minister instructed the negotiating team to insist on the understandings that were agreed upon, and to reject out of hand the last-minute extortion attempts by Hamas.” 

02:35 - Biden congratulated Netanyahu on the ceasefire deal 

The White House released a statement saying that President Joe Biden called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on the ceasefire deal.  

“President Biden spoke today with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel to congratulate him on the ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas. The two leaders discussed the unimaginable conditions the hostages – including Americans – have experienced over their 15 months in captivity and the terrible suffering their families have faced, and expressed their joy that hostages will soon be reunited with their families.”

02:25 - Trump National Security Advisor says it will back Israel if it needs to ‘go back in’ Gaza 

Speaking to Fox News' Brett Baier, President Trump’s pick for National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, said, “We made it very clear to the Israelis, and I want the people of Israel to hear me very clearly on this, if they need to go back in, we’re with them. If Hamas doesn’t live up to the terms of this agreement, we’re with them. Hamas is not going to continue as a military entity, and it certainly is not going to govern Gaza. I want people to hear that crystal, crystal clear.” 

00:12 - Prime Minister’s Office - ‘We are working on the final details of the agreement’ 

The Prime Minister’s Office said a couple minutes ago, “An official statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be issued only after the completion of the final details of the agreement, which are being worked on at present.”