'Won't Proceed Until...': Netanyahu On Gaza Ceasefire, Demands List Of Hostages To Be Freed By Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said that Israel won't proceed with the Gaza ceasefire until it receives a list of hostages to be released by Hamas.
Israel will not proceed with the Gaza ceasefire deal until it receives a list of the 33 hostages to be released by Hamas in the first phase, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday.
It comes hours before the ceasefire deal was slated to go into effect. It states that Hamas will provide the names of the hostages at least 24 hours ahead of their release, which has not yet taken place.
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“We will not move forward with the agreement until we receive the list of hostages who will be released, as agreed. Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement. The sole responsibility lies with Hamas," Netanyahu said in a statement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:“We will be unable to move forward with the framework until we receive the list of the hostages who will be released, as was agreed. Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement. Hamas is solely responsible."
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 18, 2025
Israel’s security cabinet had approved the Gaza ceasefire agreement that involves the exchange of dozens of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and a temporary pause in the 15-month-long conflict.
The much-awaited decision came as Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet to vote on the long-pending ceasefire deal with Gaza on Friday.
Under the first phase of the agreement, set to last 42 days, Hamas has agreed to release 33 hostages, including children, women—such as female soldiers—and individuals over the age of 50.
In return, Israel will release 50 Palestinian prisoners for each female Israeli soldier freed by Hamas and 30 prisoners for other female hostages.
The 15 months of war between Israel and Palestine that killed nearly 48,000 people was triggered after the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023. During the horrific episode, over 1,200 people were killed in Israel and 250 people were taken hostage.
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