IDF readies to receive hostages returning from Gaza
Hamas yet to release names of hostages for first exchange • 98 Gaza hostages set for gradual return home after 15 months in Hamas captivity • Biden confirms US citizens to be released in first phase
Government approves the hostage deal after seven hours of deliberation
Netanyahu told the cabinet that President-elect Trump had given his full backing for Israel to restart the war should Hamas violate the agreement and would unfreeze arms shipments.
The Israeli government approved the hostage deal at 1 a.m. on Saturday after over seven hours of debate, Walla reported.
Twenty-four ministers voted in favor, and eight ministers voted against.
Go to the full article >>Cabinet to convene Friday morning to approve hostage deal
The Security Cabinet is set to convene on Friday morning to approve the hostage deal, which was officially signed by both parties in Doha in the early hours of Friday, Israeli media reported.
Go to the full article >>Hostage deal signed by both parties in Doha , PMO confirms
This comes after reports that the government would delay the vote on the matter until Saturday.
Representatives of Israel, Hamas, the US, and Qatar have officially signed the hostage deal and Gaza ceasefire in Doha, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed in a statement Friday morning.
Go to the full article >>The Israeli delegation for negotiations takes off from Qatar for Israel
Israel's delegation for hostage negotiations has taken off from Qatar for Israel, KAN reported Friday morning.
Final disputes holding up Gaza ceasefire deal have been resolved, Axios reports
The final disputes holding up a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas have been resolved, Axios reported on Thursday, citing an unnamed US official.
Axios did not provide details.
Israel said it had delayed holding a cabinet meeting on Thursday to ratify a ceasefire with Hamas, blaming the militant group for the hold-up. The hold-up involves the identities of several prisoners Hamas is demanding be released and it is expected to be resolved soon, a US official earlier said.
Go to the full article >>Gaza ceasefire should take pressure off Israel's credit rating, Fitch says
Analysts at Capital Economics said an effective ceasefire would have an "overwhelmingly positive" impact on Israel's public finances.
A ceasefire in the war in Gaza should be positive for Israel's under-pressure credit rating, Fitch's top sovereign rating analyst said on Thursday.
Israel's "A" rating is currently on a downgrade warning, or a "negative outlook" in rating agency-speak.
"We've got Israel on negative, I guess that's something that's really related to public finances associated with the war," Fitch's head of sovereign ratings James Longsdon said at a conference held by the firm.
Go to the full article >>There is no name for this feeling: Hostage family describes turmoil of waiting for a deal
Freeing the hostages is a crucial part of what these soldiers fought for, hostage family member Udi Goren said.
"I don't think there is a name for this feeling - having your child, spouse, [or] loved one stolen from you and not being able to do anything about it," Udi Goren, whose cousin Tal Haimi's body is still being held by Hamas, said Thursday, discussing the turmoil the families of hostages are going through as a deal progresses.
Go to the full article >>Health Ministry announces medical protocol for hostages returned from Hamas captivity
Procedures include pregnancy tests, checks for starvation and nutrient imbalance, and private psychological treatment.
The Health Ministry has published the medical protocol for the reception of hostages from Hamas captivity in light of the recently announced deal, outlining the stages of care, treatment, and long-term support.
The six designated hospitals for initial medical care are Ichilov, Beilinson, Sheba, Assaf Harofeh (in the central region), Barzilai, and Soroka. These hospitals are positioned close to Gaza to treat severe cases quickly. The Health Ministry recommends a minimum hospitalization period of four days for each returnee, though this is subject to the discretion of the individual and their family.
Each returned hostage will be treated in separate facilities designed specifically for hostages. These will include private rooms for the returnee and their accompanying family members and individuals. Hospitals have been instructed to separate general areas for larger gatherings from the private spaces, which include sleeping areas, meeting rooms, and rest zones. Each room will have its own bathroom and shower facilities.
Go to the full article >>Netanyhau thanks Trump, agrees to meet in Washington soon
Afterward, Netanyahu spoke with President Joe Biden to thank him for his work in advancing the hostage deal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President-elect Donald Trump for his help in promoting the release of the hostages and made plans to visit Washington through a phone call, the Prime Minister's Office announced on X/Twitter on Wednesday night.
Go to the full article >>Netanyahu will issue statement once details of agreement are finalized, PMO says
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will issue an official statement regarding the hostage deal "only after the completion of the final details of the agreement," the Prime Minister's Office announced in a statement Wednesday night.
Go to the full article >>Details of the Gaza hostage deal
- 33 hostages to be released in the first phase
- IDF preparing to withdraw from areas of Gaza ahead of ceasefire
- Biden says American hostages to be released in first phase