[News] Hamas, "Israel" officially sign deal, to take effect Monday

[Anti-Imperialist News]

english.almayadeen.net
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hamas---israel--officially-sign-deal--to-take-effect-monday>
Hamas, "Israel" officially sign deal, to take effect Monday
Al Mayadeen English
January 17, 2025
------------------------------

The Israeli government is not set to vote on the deal until Saturday night,
causing a delay in both the ceasefire's start and the release of the first
three captives.
[image: ae635bb8-9535-4eab-9a39-b95814c7a4c4.jpg]

   - Palestinian children look at the damage after an Israeli strike hit a
   tent area in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah,
   Gaza Strip, on Monday, October 14, 2024. (*AP*)

A deal between "Israel" and Hamas to release captives held in Gaza and
initiate a ceasefire
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/biden-admin--expects-full-implementation-of-gaza-ceasefire-b>
was formally signed by negotiators in Doha on Thursday, *Axios *reported,
citing two sources familiar with the matter. However, the Israeli
government is not expected to vote on the agreement until Saturday night.

The delay in the vote will push back the start of the ceasefire and the
release of the first three captives, from Sunday to at least Monday,
Israeli officials stated.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly informed by the
negotiating team that the agreement had been reached. His office confirmed
this in a statement on Friday morning. Netanyahu has also instructed the
captives coordinator to collaborate with the relevant government ministries
to prepare for the hostages' release, as per the report.

 The deal was signed by representatives from "Israel", Qatar, and Hamas,
according to a source informed about the matter as reported by *Axios*.
Brett McGurk, President Biden's top Middle East adviser, signed on behalf
of the United States.
Driving the news

Israeli officials stated that the security cabinet is set to meet on Friday
morning to vote on the deal, followed by a full cabinet meeting on Saturday
night.

According to Israeli law, Palestinian detainees cannot be released without
a government vote. If the deal is approved, there will be a 24-hour period
for the public to challenge the decision in court.

Netanyahu is expected to secure a majority in both votes, even if Smotrich,
Ben-Gvir
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/ben-gvir-threatens-to-leave-government-coalition-over-gaza-c>,
and cabinet ministers from their parties oppose the deal.

An aide to Netanyahu noted that due to the schedule, the ceasefire and the
release of captives will be delayed from Sunday to Monday, as per Israeli
media.

Amid these circumstances, Israeli media quoted the families of the captives
urging the government not to delay finalizing the deal, saying: "Every
night is a terrifying nightmare... Do not delay their return, not even for
one more night."

According to *i24news*, a list of Palestinian detainees serving life
sentences, who are set to be released as part of the prisoner exchange
deal, has been finalized.

The report also noted that, in connection with the deal’s implementation,
an Israeli delegation—comprising officials from Shin Bet and the Israeli
military—will travel to Cairo on Friday to engage in discussions regarding
the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah crossing.
Hamas accuses 'Israel' of stalling Gaza ceasefire implementation

The implementation of the newly agreed ceasefire
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hamas-accuses--israel--of-stalling-gaza-ceasefire-implementa>
in the Gaza Strip is facing hurdles, with senior Hamas official Sami Abu
Zuhri accusing "Israel" of attempting to stall the process.

Abu Zuhri dismissed statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu's office as unfounded, noting they were aimed at obstructing
progress.

Earlier on Thursday, Netanyahu's office alleged that Hamas was violating
parts of the ceasefire agreement and seeking additional concessions at the
last minute.

The Israeli occupation announced it would withhold approval of the
agreement until mediators confirmed Hamas's full compliance with all its
terms.

"These statements have no basis whatsoever. They represent an Israeli
attempt to slow down the implementation of the agreement," Abu Zuhri told *RIA
Novosti*.
Rising tensions

In light of these delays, Israeli airstrikes continued to devastate the
territory, killing dozens.

Gaza's Health Ministry reported on Thursday that Israeli strikes had killed at
least 72 people
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-airstrike-on-western-gaza-city-kills-18-people>
 since the ceasefire deal was announced. Ministry officials noted that this
figure included only bodies transported to two hospitals in Gaza City and
warned that the actual death toll was likely higher.

"Yesterday was a bloody day, and today is bloodier," said Zaher al-Wahedi,
head of the ministry's registration department.

*Read more: Netanyahu claims 'last minute crisis' impeding Gaza ceasefire
deal
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/netanyahu-claims--last-minute-crisis--impeding-gaza-ceasefir>*
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