Fri Jan 17 03:03:14 UTC 2025: ## Israel and Hamas Reach Hostage Release Deal, Ceasefire Imminent
**Tel Aviv, January 17, 2025** – A deal to release Israeli hostages held by Hamas since the October 7th attack has been reached, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced Friday. The agreement, brokered by Qatar and the United States, will reportedly see the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. A ceasefire is expected to begin on Sunday, pending cabinet approval.
Netanyahu’s office stated that the negotiating team had finalized the agreements and that the political-security cabinet would convene to approve the deal. Families of the hostages have been informed. Earlier, Netanyahu’s office had accused Hamas of attempting to renegotiate the terms, a claim Hamas denied. The ceasefire announcement follows a Wednesday agreement outlining the framework for a truce and subsequent permanent end to the conflict. Protests by families of the hostages were held in Tel Aviv earlier this week prior to the announcement.
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