Netanyahu announces agreement with Hamas on hostage release

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that agreements with Hamas have been reached on the release of hostages and a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The statement was published today on the social media platform X. According to Netanyahu, his negotiation team informed him that an agreement had been concluded. 

The military cabinet will be convened shortly, after which the decision will be submitted for government approval, the Prime Minister’s Office press service reported. Preparations for the return of hostages are currently underway.

The agreement, reached on 16 January, includes a 42-day ceasefire and the exchange of prisoners and hostages. However, the decision has drawn criticism from far-right factions in Israel, who consider it insufficient as it does not entail the complete defeat of Hamas.

Analysts note that, despite pressure from the far right, Netanyahu is unlikely to resume military operations. According to media reports, Donald Trump’s position played a significant role in this decision, as he opposes further escalation of the conflict.