Hostages in Gaza

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.

Blinken:

'Not surprising there's a loose end with ceasefire deal'

Outgoing US Secretary of State in farewell remarks says delay in Israeli Cabinet's vote to approve ceasefire deal is not expected to delay or stop the deal's implementation on Sunday.

Officials from 3 states:

Hostage, ceasefire deal happened because of Trump's involvement

Officials from US, Qatar, and Israel say the involvement of President-elect Donald Trump and the cooperation of both US administrations is what allowed the hostage deal to be reached.

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.

Herzog to hostage families:

'Deal encompasses all hostages, all stages must be implemented'

Families of hostages and bereaved families meet Israeli President to express their support for the current hostage and ceasefire deal with Hamas.

Brother of hostage:

'This deal abandons everyone who is left'

Danny Elgarat, brother of hostage Itzik, criticizes Prime Minister Netanyahu for not making a deal faster and allowing a deal that leaves any hostage behind.

Hospitals prepare to receive hostages

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

Ben Shapiro to Arutz Sheva:

Hostage deal is painful, but is not a full-scale surrender

Daily Wire co-founder tells Arutz Sheva he does not believe Trump would pressure Israel into allowing Hamas to remain in power and speaks about the special musical he created with his father, 'We Will Rise.'

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.

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.

Hersh's parents:

'Deal is an overdue opportunity to recover remaining hostages'

Jon and Rachel, the parents of slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, welcome deal as "a step that should have been taken long ago".

Leah and Simcha Goldin:

'Hadar and Oron have been abandoned for good'

Parents of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, whose body is held by Hamas, blast the release of the terrorists as part of the hostage deal: Hamas cares more for its terrorists than Netanyahu cares for his soldiers.

'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.

MK Tsega Melaku to Arutz Sheva:

'Avera Mengistu will return home after 10 years'

Likud MK Tsega Melaku tells Arutz Sheva-Israel National News about the conversation she had with the mother of Avera Mengistu, who has been held by Hamas in Gaza for over a decade.

Mike Waltz:

'If Israel needs to go back into Gaza, we’re with them'

US President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming National Security Adviser to Fox News: The hostage release deal was reached thanks to the Trump effect. We’re with Israel if Hamas doesn’t live up to the terms of this agreement.

Biden in farewell address:

'Hostage deal will be implemented by the incoming administration'

President Joe Biden comments on hostage deal as he delivers his farewell to the nation: I told my team to keep the incoming administration fully informed, because that’s how it should be: Working together as Americans.

In wake of hostage deal

Netanyahu speaks to Trump and Biden

Prime Minister's Office says Netanyahu thanked Trump for his help in advancing the release of the hostages. Netanyahu also speaks to Biden, and thanks him for his help in advancing the deal.

US official:

'Five female soldiers will be released this coming Sunday'

Senior official in the Biden administration tells reporters that American citizens Keith Siegel and Sagui Dekel-Chen are expected be released in the first phase of the 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 Herzog:

This will be our finest hour

In address to nation, President Isaac Herzog says hostage and ceasefire deal is right, important, and necessary.

Hostages families welcome deal with 'overwhelming joy and relief'

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters responds to the official announcement of the hostage deal, calls for deal to be implemented in all its phases.

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.

Families of US hostages thank Biden, Trump for deal

The families of the 7 US citizens still held in Gaza respond to the imminent hostage and ceasefire deal, call on all parties to 'stay committed' to the agreement so that all hostages are returned.

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.

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.

'Approach with humility'

Amb. David Friedman pushes back at critics of hostage deal

Former US Ambassador to Israel says he will not "second guess" decision of the Israeli Premier to sign proposed ceasefire with Hamas, calls on critics to approach issue with "humility."

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.

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.

Bezalel Smotrich:

'Our most important goals are victory and bringing hostages home'

'I consider these matters quietly, behind closed doors, in a very substantive, serious, insightful, and in-depth discussion,' says Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on emerging hostage deal.

Response to Ben Gvir

Cabinet Secretary: Hamas is the only one that thwarted a deal

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs responds to Ben Gvir's claim that he prevented the advancement of a hostage release deal, says that the only side that has thus far prevented a deal is Hamas.

Religious Zionism against deal:

Watch: MK objects to deal in speech at Mar-a-Lago

MK Ohad Tal (Religious Zionist Party) objects to hostage deal with Hamas in speech at Mar-a-Lago.

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.

Adv. Nitsana Darshan-Leitner:

'Price we're paying for the deal is unbearable. Disaster'

Adv. Nitsana Darshan-Leitner to Arutz Sheva: 'If the Chief of Staff can't collapse Hamas, he should leave and let someone else do the job.'

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.

Sources in negotiations:

'Hamas changed its position - not Israel'

A source familiar with the negotiations responded to Minister Ben-Gvir's concerns regarding the emerging deal, saying that new pressures had forced Hamas to compromise.

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.

Ben-Gvir to Smotrich:

'Let's leave the government together if deal goes through'

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to join forces in opposing the emerging hostage deal.

One hundred Rabbis oppose hostage deal

One hundred Rabbis have recently published a joint letter opposing a proposed hostage deal, suggesting it jeopardizes Israeli security.

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.

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.

Call on Ben Gvir and Smotrich:

'Leave the government if archterrorists are freed'

Bereaved families write to Ministers Ben Gvir and Smotrich, demanding an emergency meeting and calling on them to resign from the government in the wake of the deal that will see the release of terrorists.

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.

Biden in farewell speech:

'We're pressing hard, working urgently to close hostage deal'

US President Joe Biden delivered one of his final speeches in office today and stated that there has been progress in the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.

Chief Rabbinate to Pope:

'Your actions are not just disappointing but dangerous'

Rabbi Eliezer Simcha Weisz, a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council of Israel, has written an open letter to demand that Pope Francis change his statements regarding the war in Gaza.

'Leave no hostage behind'

A protest against the emerging hostage deal is underway at the entrance to Jerusalem, demanding that the government require Hamas to release all hostages immediately.