Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have reportedly reached an agreement and the cabinet is set to approve the ceasefire deal.
Meanwhile, Gaza remains under heavy bombardment, with scores killed and injured as the United States presses Israel to adhere to the ceasefire timeline.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, 46,707 Palestinians have been killed, and 110,265 wounded in Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza starting on October 7, 2023.
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Israeli Cabinet Approves Ceasefire Agreement
AL-JAZEERA: The Israeli Security cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
Prisoners to Be Handed Over to Army via Red Cross
ISRAEL HAYOM: Israeli prisoners will be transferred from Gaza to the Red Cross and then directly to the Israeli army.
290 Palestinian Prisoners with Life Sentences May Be Released
HAARETZ: There are expectations of releasing 290 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences out of 563 held in Israeli prisons.
Yisrael Hayom: Ben Gvir to Resign, Smotrich to Stay in Government
YISRAEL HAYOM: National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir will resign, but Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich will remain in the government.
WHO Plans to Send Ready Hospitals to Gaza
WHO (via REUTERS): Plans are underway to deploy ready hospitals to Gaza within two months.
Hamas: Achieving a National Exchange Deal
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.
Two Killed in Israeli Airstrike on Jabaliya
AL JAZEERA REPORTER: Two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting Jabalia in northern Gaza.
Ben-Gvir: I'll Leave the Government if the Deal Passes
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.
Families of Israeli Captives Call for Protests in Tel Aviv
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 Urges Government to Approve the Deal
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 Families Receive Names of 33 Captives to Be Released
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: Agreements Between Netanyahu and Smotrich
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
18 Killed in Gaza since Dawn
MEDICAL SOURCES TO AL JAZEERA: 18 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on several areas of Gaza since dawn on Friday.
Six Killed in Northern Gaza
AL-JAZEERA CORRESPONDENT: Six Palestinians have been killed in scattered Israeli airstrikes on northern Gaza since dawn on Friday.
Israeli Army Plans Defense Changes Around Gaza
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.
Here’s the translated and slightly shortened version with sources cited before each text: Walla: Agreements Between Netanyahu and Smotrich 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. 18 Killed in Gaza Since Dawn MEDICAL SOURCES TO AL JAZEERA: 18 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on several areas of Gaza since dawn on Friday. U.S. Official: Delays Could Push Hamas to Act CHANNEL 12: An unnamed White House official stated that: Israel committed to implementing the agreement starting Sunday, and any delay could lead to its collapse. Delays might prompt Hamas to display its strength, potentially harming the deal's progress. Six Killed in Northern Gaza AL JAZEERA CORRESPONDENT: Six Palestinians have been killed in scattered Israeli airstrikes on northern Gaza since dawn on Friday. Israeli Army Plans Defense Changes Around Gaza 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. Four Bodies Recovered in Al-Nuseirat
AL JAZEERA CORRESPONDENT: Four bodies were recovered from a house struck by an Israeli airstrike west of Al-Nuseirat camp in central Gaza.
UNRWA Official: Committed to Remaining in 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.
Casualties in Khan Yunis Refugee Tents
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
Blinken: Ceasefire Agreement Starts Sunday
US SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN: Gaza ceasefire agreement will be implemented on Sunday. It is a step toward a permanent truce.
Injuries in Jabalia Drone Attack
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
Two Airstrikes on Gaza City
AL JAZEERA CORRESPONDENT: Two Israeli airstrikes targeted areas in the northwestern part of Gaza City.
Israeli Cabinet to Convene on Prisoner Deal
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.
Nine Killed in Gaza Since Morning
AL-JAZEERA CORRESPONDENT: The death toll has risen to nine due to continuous Israeli bombing in central and southern Gaza since Friday morning.
Satellite Images Show Israel Creating Buffer Zone
AP: Satellite images reveal Israel’s efforts to establish a buffer zone, taking around 60 kilometers from Gaza, despite international objections.
Satellite Images Show Israel Creating Buffer Zone
AP: Satellite images reveal Israel’s efforts to establish a buffer zone, taking around 60 kilometers from Gaza, despite international objections.
Netanyahu Orders Prisoner Deal Preparations
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.
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