ceasefire

Hostage deal:

Netanyhu accepts Smotrich's demands

Significant progress has been made in talks between Minister Smotrich and PM Netanyahu to allow the Religious Zionism part to remain in the government after the Cabinet approves the hostage deal.

Thousands protest against ceasefire deal in Jerusalem

Right-wing organizations, hostages families, and bereaved families demonstrate against deal they say will lead to more attacks and abandon most of the remaining hostages.

Houthis vow to continue attacking Israel if ceasefire ends

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi declares, 'The Israeli enemy failed to achieve its declared and clear goals, and failed miserably to recover its prisoners without an exchange 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.

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.

'Stop this deal'

Bereaved families set up display of coffins in Jerusalem

Families of fallen soldiers set up display of coffins draped in Israeli flags and warn that the current ceasefire deal will lead to many more coffins for IDF soldiers.

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.'

Is this the best deal they could come up with?

The goal of both Israel and the US should have always been the unconditional surrender of Hamas. Now, Hamas will learn that hostage-taking is the most effective strategy to use against Israel. Op-ed.

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.

Blinken:

'On brink of deal, awaiting final word from Hamas'

Secretary Blinken delivers remarks on the Middle East at the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C., says "much of the heavy lifting" on Israel-Saudi normalization is done.

Reject the terms forced on Israel for a cease fire with Hamas!

Crown Heights Women for the Safety and Integrity of Israel calls on the Israeli Government to reject the terms being forced on Israel for a cease fire agreement with Hamas!

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.

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.

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

Danon to UNSC:

'Ensure UNIFIL enforces ceasefire this time'

Israeli Amb. to the UN writes urgent letter to the Security Council warning of the danger of repeating the mistakes that followed the 2006 Lebanon War when UNIFIL did nothing while Hezbollah built an arsenal over 100,000 rockets.

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.

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.'

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.

Report: Israel requesting expanded buffer zone in Gaza

The Israeli delegation to Doha submitted a military plan for every stage in the ceasefire deal, Qatari media reports.

Netanyahu instructs:

Delegation headed by Mossad chief to head to Qatar

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirms Mossad chief David Barnea will take off for Qatar together with ISA chief Ronen Bar, Maj.-Gen. (Res) Nitzan Alon, to speed up negotiations for ceasefire deal with Hamas.

Hamas official: We're showing great flexibility in negotiations

Ali Baraka, Hamas leader abroad, says terror group agreed to release 34 Israelis in first stage of ceasefire deal, in order to ease path towards comprehensive agreement.

Israeli source confirms:

Progress made in negotiations for ceasefire deal with Hamas

The proposed deal would include a full withdrawal of IDF forces from the Philadelphi Corridor, on the last day of the deal.

Blinken:

'We're very close to hostage and ceasefire deal'

US Secretary of State says a ceasefire and hostage deal based on plan Biden presented in May is close, ready to be handed off to next administration if not reached in the next 12 days,

Netanyahu: Reports of six-week ceasefire 'absolutely false'

Claims of six- to eight-week ceasefire in Gaza are 'part of the psychological warfare Hamas is trying to use on hostages' families,' statement from Prime Minister's Office emphasizes.

Report:

Hamas still insists on a role in Gaza's post-war government

An Egyptian source says Hamas would not agree to a deal without a path to end the war and a stipulation to keep it in power in the Gaza Strip.

Nasrallah to be buried after end of 60-day ceasefire

Hezbollah official tells reporters at site where Hezbollah's longtime secretary-general was killed when the funerals of Nasrallah and his successor Hashem Safieddine will be held.

Report:

Israel considering Hamas proposal for 1-week ceasefire

Israel is reportedly considering responding to Hamas's offer for a week-long ceasefire in exchange for a list of hostages in light of the expected visit tomorrow by Mossad chief Barnea to Qatar.

Blinken reveals:

Whose fault is it that there is no deal?

In an interview with The New York Times, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says a deal could've been reached, questions, 'Where is the world, why hasn't Hamas been pushed to put down its weapons, give up the hostages, and surrender?'

'If Hamas says yes - we have a deal'

Israeli government demanding Hamas increase number of living hostages to be freed; defense echelon pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold talks on 'the day after' Hamas.

'A partial deal will sentence them to death'

Families of hostages held in Gaza hold rally demanding that no one be left behind. 'Government abandoning them for 15 months already.'

Naim Qassem:

'Our patience is running out'

Hezbollah's Naim Qassem warned of breaking ceasefire with Israel, citing potential impatience before the 60-day agreement ends due to supposed breaches.

Hamas proposal:

Week-long ceasefire in exchange for list of hostages

The terrorist organization is not making the ceasefire conditional on the withdrawal of IDF forces from the Gaza Strip or the return of Gaza residents to their homes, claims it needs time to put together a list of 'humanitarian cases' of hostages.

Report:

Israel considering remaining in Lebanon beyond agreed-on date

Israel is considering remaining in southern Lebanon even after the 60-day deadline due to the slow deployment of Lebanese troops and the reformation of Hezbollah.

Hamas official claims:

Ceasefire required to provide list of hostages

Hamas unable to provide Israel with a list of living hostages until a ceasefire in Gaza takes effect, Hamas official claims.

Hamas claims:

Israel presented new conditions which delayed ceasefire deal

'Serious negotiations for ceasefire deal are ongoing, Hamas has shown responsibility and flexibility,' terror group claims in statement.

Delay in hostage deal negotiations due to Hamas foot-dragging

Hamas ignoring pressure from mediators, leader Mohammed Sinwar refusing to compromise, sources say.

PA official:

'Talks on ceasefire deal are 90% complete'

Palestinian Arab official tells BBC that if solution is found to unresolved issues, the parties could agree on a three-stage ceasefire within days.

Hamas passes Israel list of terrorists to be freed in swap deal

Israel presents Hamas with a list of 34 hostages to be released in the first stage of a deal, 'including 11 who do not meet the criteria. Hamas agreed - in exchange for special compensation.'

Hostages' families:

We demand a deal that will ensure the return of all hostages

Families of hostages oppose partial deal, stress, 'We demand a deal that leaves no one behind!'

Diplomatic source:

Archterrorist Marwan Barghouti won't be released

Head of Fatah's Tanzim group says archterrorist Marwan Barghouti at top of Hamas' list of terrorists to be freed in a prisoner swap deal; diplomatic source says Barghouti won't be freed.

Arab report: 'Cautious optimism' for ceasefire deal

Negotiators for ceasefire-prisoner swap deal between Israel and the Hamas terror group report 'significant progress' in reaching two-stage deal, Lebanese outlet reports.

Hamas sources:

Disagreements remain on two issues critical to prisoner swap deal

'Excellent' progress on ceasefire negotiations, only two key issues remain, Hamas sources tell Lebanon's Al-Akhbar.

Hamas official:

We're close to an agreement to end the war in Gaza

Hamas official says agreement between Israel and Hamas is in the final stages, after the sides succeeded in reaching agreements on most of the issues causing disagreement.

Smotrich:

Deal would be 'serious mistake,' now's the time to crush Hamas

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich slams proposed prisoner swap deal, stressing that it won't bring back all the hostages. 'Hamas is at its lowest point, this is not the time to throw them a lifeline.'

Report:

Terrorists with blood on their hands to be released into exile

Hamas-affiliated outlet says negotiations nearing conclusion, terrorists handed heavy sentences to be exiled to Turkey, Iran.