Israel closes hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas. But at what price?
It’s official: Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement, including terms for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza and release of all hostages. However reports in recent hours indicate that the final approvals on both sides could be delayed. And the agreement is causing deep divisions within the Israeli cabinet and in Israeli society – further compounding the trauma that the nation is suffering since the horrendous attacks on 7th October 2023.
The “hostage-ceasefire agreement” agreed on 15th January 2025 supplements the Israeli proposal for a deal with Hamas, which was submitted on May 27, 2024, and was publicly presented by US President Joe Biden on May 31, 2024.
Despite the official declaration of an agreement between Israel and Hamas by all parties involved, it seems that during the night, Hamas began to backtrack. One of the issues on which Hamas is apparently withdrawing from the agreements is the veto given to Israel regarding the identity of the released terrorists.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister’s Office released a statement that “Hamas is backing away from the understandings and creating a last-minute crisis that prevents an agreement. Hamas is backing away from the explicit understandings that were agreed upon with the mediators and with Israel in a last-minute blackmail attempt. Israel will not set a date for a cabinet and government meeting until the mediators announce that Hamas has approved all the details of the agreement.”
“There are many uncertain factors, and the agreement is causing deep divisions in israeli society.”
Stage 1 is a 42-day temporary ceasefire in which 33 Israeli civilian hostages, some alive, some dead, will be released in stages. IDF divisions will withdraw from populated areas of Gaza. In exchange, Israel will release a number of Palestinian criminals from Israeli prisons. At the same time, humanitarian aid will enter the Gaza Strip in increasing amounts. Concurrently, negotiations for Stage 2 will continue.Stage 2 will see another 42-day period where all IDF hostages will be exchanged for more Palestinian criminals. At the same time, the IDF will completely withdraw from Gaza, including the Netzarim and Philadelphi Corridors. The total number of prisoners released in exchange for 94 hostages, some dead, is reported to be 1,000. 190 of these are reported to be serving sentences of 15 years or more.
Stage 3 will see a dead body exchange, a permanent ceasefire, and the reconstruction of Gaza will commence. This comes with the reopening of crossings, and allowing the free movement of people and goods.
Israel’s Ministerial Committee on National Security Affairs, also known as the State Security Cabinet, and the broader cabinet are set to vote on the deal.
Once the deal is approved by the security cabinet and then the full cabinet, with a 24-48 hour period to allow for appeals against the deal to the Supreme Court, implementation could begin with the first hostages going free on Sunday at the earliest.
“There is a breakthrough in the hostage deal negotiations in Doha. Hamas military leader in Gaza Mohammed Sinwar gave his OK,” Walla news cites an Israeli official as saying Wednesday. Mohammed Sinwar is the bother of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and believed to be commanding Hamas in Gaza.
The deal was reached following months of negotiations let by the Biden Administration, and then a last-minute intervention by President-elect Trump’s Middle East Envoy appointee Steve Witkoff. Predictably, both Biden and Trump are claiming the credits for the deal. Either way, many people are furious that the US has pressured Israel to reach a deal that capitulates to terrorism and will enable Hamas to continue to exist.
“Many people are furious that the US has pressured Israel to reach a deal that capitulates to terrorism and will enable Hamas to continue to exist.”
To be sure, Israel’s government faces a massive dilemma. Its twin war aims of releasing the hostages and defeating Hamas are each valid, yet mutually exclusive.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar characterized the deal as a painful choice “between bad and very bad”.
Not surprisingly, sentiments in Israel are divided. Some – especially families and friends of hostages – welcome the deal. Others – including some hostage survivor families – believe the agreement represents a strategically bad outcome for Israel.
The agreement could even trigger the downfall of the Israeli cabinet. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s far-right Religious Zionism party reiterates its opposition to the ceasefire-hostage agreement, insisting that its continued membership in the government hinges upon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s guarantee that the war will not end without the complete military defeat of Hamas.
“The faction stands behind the demands of the party chairman, Minister Bezalel Smotrich, to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to ensure Israel’s return to the war to destroy Hamas and the return of all the hostages, including a change in the concept of decisive victory, immediately upon the conclusion of the first phase of the deal,” the party declares in a statement, adding that this is the “condition for the party to remain in the government and coalition.”
The reality is that the deal is bitter-sweet. While of course it is wonderful that the hostages will be released, tragically, this deal will embolden terrorism, and potentially sends a signal to both Russia and Iran that the West is willing to give in to aggression.
At the end of the day, this all shows that israel cannot – and should not – rely on Trump, or the United States, or any other person or nation. Israel, the jewish people, all of us – must look alone to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He alone is Israel’s Redeemer. He alone will save Israel from its enemies.
Full text of the hostage-ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas
Copy of deal, the authenticity of which was confirmed to ToI, shows how many Palestinian prisoners Israel must release per freed captive, details terms of Israeli pullout from Gaza.
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Israeli officials say breakthrough reached in Doha talks
JNS: “Contrary to reports, the Hamas terrorist group has not yet returned its response to the deal,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated.
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Hope and Anguish as Israel and Hamas Strike Hostage Deal
Cnaan Lidor at C4israel.org: ‘Over 30 hostages set for imminent release, but concerns grow over concessions and fate of those still captive.’
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Jihad Must Have No Place in the West
Political Islam, support for Islamic terrorism and incitement to jihad (Islamic holy war) need to be squarely faced and defeated. It is hoped that the Trump administration will allow no place for jihad in the US or the West.
> Read more..
The land is often mentioned first when the Bible speaks of God’s plan for this creation and humanity. As an instrument in God’s hands, the land has never lost its significance.
SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK:
Isaiah 61:1-7
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of His splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.
