ISRAELI MEDIA: The Israeli army’s 162nd Division will take responsibility for defense in the northern Gaza Envelope area, while the Gaza Division will handle the southern Gaza Envelope. This means only two divisions will remain in the Gaza Envelope area.

Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights reports that 10,400 Palestinian prisoners are currently held in Israeli prisons.

• Among these, 5,150 were arrested since the start of the war on Gaza on October 7, 2023.
• The prisoners include 85 women, 320 children and 3,376 administrative detainees.
• 1,886 classified by Israel as “illegal combatants,” who were arrested from Gaza.
• Pre-Oslo Prisoners: 21 prisoners have been in Israeli jails since before the Oslo Accords in 1993.
• Israel is holding 52 prisoners who were released in the 2011 exchange deal.
• Life Sentences: 600 prisoners have been sentenced to life in prison, with the highest sentence being 67 life terms, served by Abdullah Barghouti.
• Health Conditions: Many prisoners suffer from serious illnesses due to medical neglect and torture.
• Prisoner Deaths: 292 prisoners have died in Israeli jails since 1967, including 55 since the war on Gaza began, 35 of whom are from Gaza.
• Hiding Corpses: The Israeli army is hiding the bodies of numerous prisoners.
• Since October 2023, Israel has arrested around 14,400 Palestinians from the West Bank, including Jerusalem, in addition to thousands from Gaza.

ANADOLU: Gaza’s government was preparing to publish a plan to facilitate the return of displaced people from the central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip to their homes in Gaza City and the northern part of the enclave.

Gaza Officials Prepare for Return of Displaced Families as Over Two Million Suffer

ISRAELI MEDIA: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump invited Aharon Teitelbaum, the anti-Zionist Satmar Hasidic rabbi, to the White House “in recognition of his support during the election,” according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

Satmar opposes secular Zionism and Israel, claiming it violates the Torah, and its followers have regularly participated in pro-Palestinian protests in New York since October 7, 2023.

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli Army Radio reports that the 99th Division will gradually withdraw from the Netzarim axis in Gaza as part of the prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreement.

ISRAELI MEDIA: In statements to Channel 12, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said:

“For months, we have not been able to bring back a single hostage alive, so our responsibility as a government is heavy. Despite strong strikes against Hamas, we have not achieved our objectives in the war against them.”

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: In the upcoming exchange deal on Sunday, Abla Sa’adat, the wife of Ahmad Sa’adat, the Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, will be released.

Free Sa’adat, Free Palestine: 23 Years of Injustice and Resistance

ISRAELI MEDIA: Army Radio reported that Israel was unable to compel Hamas to provide information about which Israeli prisoners are alive or dead, highlighting a lack of accurate information.

ISRAELI MEDIA: Yedioth Ahronoth noted that the release of Palestinian prisoners might escalate tensions in the West Bank and strengthen Hamas at the expense of the Palestinian Authority.

These Are Israel’s Goals in the West Bank after Gaza Genocide – Israeli Media

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Medical sources in Gaza confirmed that 20 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across several areas of the Gaza Strip since the early hours of today.

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed increased concerns after further details of the exchange deal were revealed, warning that it might escalate security risks, especially with prisoners being freed in Jerusalem and the West Bank.

ISRAELI MEDIA: Channel 12 reported that Israel’s Likud Party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has prohibited its members from giving media interviews following the approval of the exchange deal and ceasefire.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: The Gaza Health Ministry reported that Israeli forces carried out 4 massacres in the Gaza Strip, resulting in 88 martyrs and 189 injuries over the past 24 hours.

ISRAELI MEDIA: Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper stated that the cost of the exchange deal is heavy and reflects the failure of the October 7 events, acknowledging the deal’s unpopularity but emphasizing that Israel has no choice but to accept it.

KAN: Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that the Israeli cabinet added a new war objective following the exchange deal: enhancing security in the occupied West Bank.

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli media confirmed that the first phase of the prisoner exchange includes the release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds serving life sentences.

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli Army Radio reported that Khalida Jarrar, a leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, will be released in the first phase of the prisoner exchange.

‘Hope out of Despair’: Who is Khalida Jarrar, Palestinian Leader Detained by Israel

Israeli authorities’ release list from the first exchange deal included Dalia Khassib, the sister of Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri, who was arrested a year ago.

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli Channel 12 reported that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent officials to Egypt to coordinate arrangements at the Rafah border and presented a plan to establish a temporary administration in Gaza under the authority’s supervision. According to the channel, the plan received skeptical responses due to its ambiguous principles and lack of a concrete action plan.

AL-JAZEERA: The Israeli Security cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

ISRAEL HAYOM: Israeli prisoners will be transferred from Gaza to the Red Cross and then directly to the Israeli army.

HAARETZ: There are expectations of releasing 290 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences out of 563 held in Israeli prisons.

YISRAEL HAYOM: National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir will resign, but Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich will remain in the government.

WHO (via REUTERS): Plans are underway to deploy ready hospitals to Gaza within two months.

HAMAS STATEMENT:

Early today, obstacles were resolved after Israel violated the ceasefire terms.

We worked for a national prisoner exchange involving all factions.

Lists of released prisoners will be published by the Prisoners Office in phases.

AL JAZEERA REPORTER: Two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting Jabalia in northern Gaza.

BEN-GVIR (cited in Israeli media):

I’ll ensure Netanyahu remains Prime Minister but will leave the government due to what I see as a disastrous deal.

The deal weakens Israel’s defense capabilities and undermines the successes of the war.

ISRAELI MEDIA: The Forum of Israeli captives’ families called for demonstrations in Tel Aviv tomorrow evening to continue the pressure until all captives are returned from Gaza.

ISRAELI INTERIOR MINISTER:

I call for an urgent government phone meeting today to approve the deal.

Every minute counts, and families of the captives must know by tonight that the deal has been confirmed.

ISRAELI MEDIA: Families of Israeli captives have received a list of 33 expected to return in the first phase of the deal. The release is set to begin at 4 PM next Sunday.

WALLA: The Israeli news site reported agreements between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, indicating that their crisis over the deal is nearing resolution.

WALLA: The Israeli news site reported agreements between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, indicating that their crisis over the deal is nearing resolution. pic.twitter.com/QpGTE10ksW

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) January 17, 2025

MEDICAL SOURCES TO AL JAZEERA: 18 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on several areas of Gaza since dawn on Friday.

AL-JAZEERA CORRESPONDENT: Six Palestinians have been killed in scattered Israeli airstrikes on northern Gaza since dawn on Friday.

CHANNEL 12:

The Israeli army is preparing for major changes in defending areas near Gaza.

Plans include establishing 14 new military sites along the Gaza border.

The 162nd Division will oversee the northern sector, while the Gaza Division remains in the southern sector.

These sites aim to prevent any infiltration into Israel.

AL JAZEERA CORRESPONDENT: Four bodies were recovered from a house struck by an Israeli airstrike west of Al-Nuseirat camp in central Gaza.

UNRWA: The Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza stated they are committed to staying in the region and providing services despite ongoing challenges.

AL JAZEERA CORRESPONDENT: A Palestinian was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting tents for displaced people in Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis.

Palestinians in Gaza, repeatedly displaced by Israeli attacks, are eager to return home after a long-awaited ceasefire. Ashraf Shannon has more from Khan Younis pic.twitter.com/dAhO5hoVGu

— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) January 17, 2025

US SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN: Gaza ceasefire agreement will be implemented on Sunday. It is a step toward a permanent truce.

AL JAZEERA CORRESPONDENT: Several Palestinians were injured in Jabaliya in northern Gaza by fire from an Israeli drone.

An Israeli army quadcopter drops a bomb on the roof of the Nama Association in the town of Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/rE9EFOSO2W

— WAFA News Agency – English (@WAFANewsEnglish) January 17, 2025

AL JAZEERA CORRESPONDENT: Two Israeli airstrikes targeted areas in the northwestern part of Gaza City.

ISRAELI ARMY RADIO:

The Security Cabinet will convene at 10 AM Jerusalem time to approve the prisoner deal.

The names of Palestinian prisoners to be released may be published tonight.

The government is working to expedite the deal before Monday.

AL-JAZEERA CORRESPONDENT: The death toll has risen to nine due to continuous Israeli bombing in central and southern Gaza since Friday morning.

AP: Satellite images reveal Israel’s efforts to establish a buffer zone, taking around 60 kilometers from Gaza, despite international objections.

AP: Satellite images reveal Israel’s efforts to establish a buffer zone, taking around 60 kilometers from Gaza, despite international objections.

OFFICE OF PM NETANYAHU:

Netanyahu’s negotiation team reported progress on a deal for releasing detainees.

The Prime Minister directed the Security Cabinet to meet today to discuss approval.

He instructed authorities to prepare to receive the returning detainees.

Israel remains committed to achieving all war objectives, including recovering detainees, both alive and deceased.