Swords of Iron

Trump:

'Hostage deal better be done before I take the oath of office'

US President-elect stresses urgency of finalizing the ceasefire and hostage release agreement before his inauguration on Monday: It better be done.

Officially:

Hostage release deal signed in Doha

Representatives of Israel, Hamas, the US and Qatar officially sign the hostage deal in Doha. Security Cabinet to convene in the morning to vote on the agreement.

Fitch analyst:

'Gaza ceasefire could positively impact Israel’s credit rating'

Fitch's top sovereign rating analyst says that Israel’s credit rating, currently rated "A," could be positively impacted by a ceasefire in Gaza.

'Why aren't you in the Hague?'

Anti-Israel hecklers disrupt Blinken's final press briefing

During his final press conference as Secretary of State Antony Blinken was heckled twice by anti-Israel protesters. 'You waved the white flag before Israeli fascism.'

Ben-Gvir:

'If deal is approved Otzma Yehudit will leave government'

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says he and his fellow party members will resign from the government if the hostage deal is approved. They will return if Israel returns to fight in Gaza.

Defense Ministry departments prepare to tend to released hostages

Defense Minister Katz and Director General Zamir have directed that all Ministry capabilities be made available for implementing the hostage release deal, receiving the returning hostages, and supporting their families.

Vice President Harris and President Herzog discuss hostage deal

In their twelfth conversation since Harris took office, the Vice President thanked Herzog for his partnership and expressed that she expects the hostage deal to be implemented fully and on schedule.

Diplomatic source:

Cabinet will not meet until deal is finalized

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is insistent on finalizing all the details of the hostage deal before bringing it to the vote of the Security Cabinet and the Cabinet.

Aryeh Deri:

All obstacles were overcome, the deal is underway

A diplomatic source confirmed that the Security Cabinet will convene most probably on Friday, followed by the Cabinet to approve the deal.

Protest displays set up at entrance to Jerusalem

Hundreds of right-wing activists blocked the main entrance to Jerusalem and the Begin Highway in the capital to protest the hostage deal.

IDF eliminates terrorist who participated in Nova massacre

IAF conducted strikes on approximately 50 terror targets across the Gaza Strip and eliminated Muhammad Hasham Zahedi Abu Al-Rus, a Nukhba terrorist who infiltrated Israel on October 7th, 2023.

Religious Zionist party:

'We won't bolt government if fighting resumes after 1st stage'

Religious Zionist party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, clarifies that it opposes a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal with Hamas, but will remain in government if fighting resumes following the first stage of the deal.

Hospitals prepare to receive hostages

Health Ministry sends guidelines to hospitals preparing to receive released hostages ahead of impending ceasefire deal with Hamas.

'Desecration of holy site'

Yair Ansbacher hangs signs on Western Wall

Right-wing activist Yair Ansbacher detained by police after hanging message of support on the Western Wall.

Senior diplomatic source:

Israel isn't exiting the Philadelphi Corridor

Senior source says IDF to remain at current strength in Philadelphi Corridor throughout first phase of ceasefire deal, but will position itself differently.

At the last minute:

Hamas demanding to cancel Israel's right to veto

Hamas demanding to revoke Israel's right to veto release of mass murderers who inspire further terrorism, despite announcement that final agreement has been reached, Prime Minister's Office reports.

IDF building protective walls in Gaza border region

IDF's Southern Command constructing concrete walls around Sderot, to protect against antitank fire, residents fume. 'If we're building walls, nothing has changed.'

Rabbi Itamar Leshem: Who will comfort tomorrow's widows?

Rabbi Itamar Leshem, teacher at a Kiryat Arba Yeshiva, questions, 'Who has appointed himself emissary to declare defeat? Who scoffs at the vision and prefers now-ism? Who despises the blood which has been spilled?'

Live Updates:

PM's Office: Hamas trying to back down from hostage deal

Hours after Israel and Hamas agree on hostage release and ceasefire deal, to go into effect on Sunday, Netanyahu's office says Hamas is trying to backtrack from the understandings: The Prime Minister instructed the negotiation team to reject outright Hamas's last-minute attempts at extortion.

'A national emergency'

Bereaved families sleep in tents outside PM's office

Bereaved families from the Gvura Forum, together with many supporters, set up tents outside Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, say they will sleep in them in protest of the hostage release deal.

Harris on hostage deal:

'We are determined that all American hostages be returned home'

US Vice President comments on ceasefire and hostage release deal: Doug and I pray for all the hostages, and we are grateful that some, including Americans, will soon be reunited with their loved ones.

Foreign Minister Sa'ar:

We have a commitment, so we have to make a very tough decision

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar spoke about the hostage deal with Rome's Jewish community before departing Europe for Israel.

Watch:

'Victory' celebrations in Gaza after deal is announced

Thousands of Gazans took to the streets to celebrate the ceasefire deal that was reached with Israel. Majdi Fathi filmed the celebrations in Dir al-Balah where teens chanted 'We're your men Mohammed Deif' among other things.

Will he leave the government?

Smotrich condemns deal, sets condition for Netanyahu

Minister Smotrich voiced his strong opposition to the deal that was reached between Israel and Hamas and restated that his party would only remain in the government if Israel returned to the fighting.

President Biden:

We can't wait to welcome hostages home

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday addressed the ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.

Watch:

Qatari Prime Minister officially announces hostage deal

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani holds a news conference after negotiators reached a deal for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.

Hostage deal:

30 terrorists for every hostage, 50 for every female soldier

According to the report, Hamas will first release the living hostages and then the bodies of the murdered hostages.

Trump:

'We have a hostage deal thanks to our victory in November'

US President-elect says 'epic' ceasefire deal could only have been reached because of his election, vows to work with Israel to ensure Gaza 'never again becomes a terrorist safe haven.'

Hostages' families:

'Agreement is crucial step, but it must be completed'

The members of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urgently called for a framework that ensures the return of every person held captive.

Nahal Brigade Commander:

'We lost 16 of the Brigade's finest soldiers'

In recent days, the Nahal Brigade’s troops have been engaging in intense combat in the area, during which both commanders and soldiers have fallen.

Bibas family on reports:

'Nothing final until our loved ones cross the border'

The Bibas family commented on reports that their family members will be released in the first phase of the deal and asked the public not to spread rumors.

Smotrich:

We won't topple government if Halevi is replaced & Hamas defeated

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich presents Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with list of demands to ensure Israel's security - even if a ceasefire deal with Hamas is signed.

Pro-Israel judge to take over ICJ presidency

Judge Julia Sebutinde, the only judge to rule in Israel's favor, is set to assume presidency of ICJ, after resignation of current President Nawaf Salam.

Humanitarian aid from Israel helping Hamas harm IDF soldiers

New, advanced security cameras used to allow Hamas to harm IDF soldiers were brought into Gaza on humanitarian aid trucks entering from Israel.

Hostages symbol against a full moonrise in Gaza sky

Photographer documents IDF soldiers in Netzarim Corridor, against a full moonrise and symbol of hostages in skies over Gaza.

Diplomatic source:

Hamas falsely claiming Israel added conditions for ceasefire deal

Israel demanding IDF presence within Rafah, right to veto release of certain terrorists, report says.

Ahead of a ceasefire deal:

IDF eliminates senior terrorist, strikes dozens of terror targets

IAF strikes dozens of terror targets in Gaza, eliminating key terrorists.

Warning:

Deal of surrender brings creation of a Palestinian state closer

The immediate danger we face due to the surrender in the hostage deal is the establishment of a Palestinian state. It doesn't seem to matter to the incoming US administration that the majority of the people oppose it; in their eyes the Israeli leadership and the people in Zion are irrelevant.

Smotrich's brother:

'The deal of surrender necessitates elections'

Tuvia Smotrich, brother of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, calls for elections, says the government "contradicts the most important core promise of the post-October 7 era."

Demonstration in Jerusalem:

'Do not agree to deal that endangers Israel's security'

Major demonstration, with hostage and bereaved families, held on Tuesday in Jerusalem calls on Prime Minister not to agree to deal that does not include all hostages, '

Father of 10/7 hostage:

'I am against any deal that does not include all hostages'

Chaim, father of Inbar Hayman, whose body is held by Hamas in Gaza, spoke to Arutz Sheva and called on PM not to agree to any deal that does not include all hostages.

Hostages and Missing Families Forum

'Demand agreement for return of all hostages'

Representatives of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum met with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem. 'We are united in our primary goal - bringing home all the hostages.'

Hostages' families against deal:

'I feel neglected, no one is representing me'

Several of the hostages' families reported they were not allowed to join the hostage families meeting with PM Netanyahu.

Republicans in Israel Chair:

'Netanyahu should politely tell Trump 'no''

Republicans in Israel Chairman Marc Zell tells Arutz Sheva that he sees the emerging hostage deal as a larger agreement between the US and Israel, but believes Netanyahu should politely refuse it.

‏Dep. Foreign Minister:

We'll see whether other side is really interested in an agreement

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sharren Haskel discussed the emerging hostage deal and said that 'we will soon see whether the other side is genuinely interested in reaching an agreement.'

'What Katz did was selektion'

Hostages' families attack Defense Minister over emerging deal

Family members of hostages in Gaza disrupted the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee session protesting the emerging deal that will only bring some of the hostages home in its first stage.

Hostages' families:

No hostage should be left behind

Families of hostages in Gaza gathered outside the Knesset to call for the return of all hostages.

Missile from Yemen intercepted:

Homes damaged in the Jerusalem region

Sirens sounded shortly after 3:00 a.m. in towns throughout Gush Dan, Shfela, and Lachish regions after a missile was launched from Yemen. Falling debris damaged homes near Jerusalem.

Hamas official:

Three hostages to be released on first day of deal

A Hamas official told the BBC that Israeli forces will begin withdrawing from populated areas once the first hostages are released, but will remain in a buffer zone.

Blinken to present plan for post-war Gaza

The plan will feature a governing alternative to that of Hamas in the Gaza Strip which will include a reformed Palestinian Authority as well as elements from the international community and Arab states.

UN rapporteur suggests connection between LA fires and Gaza

Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur who has become notorious for her anti-Israel rhetoric, sparks controversy after appearing to draw a connection between the Los Angeles wildfires and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Trump on hostage deal:

'If they don't get it done, there's going to be a lot of trouble'

US President-elect speaks to Newsmax on the talks for a hostage release deal: I understand there’s been a handshake and they’re getting it finished. It has to take place.

MK Sukkot to Arutz Sheva:

'No chance we'll back a deal that brings us back to October 6'

MK Tzvi Sukkot clarifies in an interview with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News: There is no chance in the world that we will agree to something that brings Israel back to October 6th, and in our understanding, that is what this deal does.

The emerging hostage deal:

33 hostages to be released in 1st stage

Source tells Arutz Sheva IDF to remain in the Philadelphi Corridor during 1st stage of 42-day ceasefire, not withdraw until all hostages are released, and hundreds of terrorists will be released in exchange for the hostages.

Report:

Hamas to have positive response to deal outline

A Hamas source says that a meeting of Hamas senior officials will be held this evening to discuss the draft agreement, emphasizing that there will be no changes to the key points

Coalition members oppose ceasefire deal with Hamas

Ten members of Israel's coalition sent letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to oppose the proposed deal with Hamas.

Father of fallen soldier:

'Eliav said Shema Yisrael, smiled and died in the helicopter'

Father of fallen soldier Sergeant Eliav Astuker spoke about his son, who always put his friends and nation first. 'He just wanted to defend his country and did it modestly.'

Terror victim's father:

Releasing terrorists means they'll murder more Jews

Father of Shuli Har-Melekh, killed in a terror attack over 20 years ago, warns against releasing terrorists in ceasefire deal with Hamas. 'You need to understand the price.'

Moving:

Yonatan Razel sings with family of fallen soldier

The family of Yossi Hershkowitz, a school principal who fell in battle in Gaza, sings Yossi's last song in New York together with renowned singer Yonatan Razel. Watch.

Report:

Details of ceasefire deal finalized, awaiting Hamas' response

Hamas to release 34 'humanitarian' hostages, Gaza to receive increased humanitarian assistance; reports do not mention key issues for Israel's security. Israel denies report.