Israel and Hamas Agree to Cease-Fire Deal, Hostages Are Expected to Be Released
Hamas and Israel reportedly reached a ceasefire deal Wednesday, which is expected to include the release of dozens of hostages. According to the Associated Press, Hamas and Israeli officials came to a resolution of the ceasefire agreement, with the meeting mediated by Qatar's prime minister.
As reported by Breaking Christian News, the deal will be broken up into three phases, beginning with the release of 33 hostages, women, children, older adults, and wounded civilians, over a 42-day period. The exchange would be for hundreds of Palestinian women and children detained by Israel.
The release would also include the terrorists with life sentences in Israeli prisons, except those who participated in the October 7th massacre in Israel in 2023.
On the 16th day, stage two would launch with further negotiations on releasing more hostages and Israel Defense Forces withdrawals from Gaza. All hostages would be released by the end of stage 3, along with the complete withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza after the hostages were released.
According to CBN News, some Israelis expressed concern over the 3-stages of the agreement and that it would allow thousands of terrorists with blood in their hands to go free.
President-elect Donald Trump celebrated the agreement in a post on his Truth Social platform.
"WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!" Trump wrote.
WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) January 15, 2025
Donald Trump Truth Social 12:01 PM EST 01/15/25
In a follow-up post, Trump said the ceasefire agreement took place due to his victory in the 2024 election.
"We have achieved so much without even being in the White House," he said. "Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!"
This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) January 15, 2025
Trump previously warned that there would be "hell to pay" if the hostages were not released before his January 20th inauguration.
JUST IN - Trump says, "there will be ALL HELL TO PAY" if Hamas does not release hostages before his inauguration on Jan 20. pic.twitter.com/gtE3njv4xE
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) December 2, 2024
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Dan Kitwood/Staff
Originally published January 15, 2025.
