Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israel retains the right to resume military operations against Hamas if the ceasefire-for-hostages deal collapses, assuring that such a move would have the full backing of the United States. In a televised address ahead of the ceasefire’s scheduled start on Sunday morning, Netanyahu praised the agreement, acknowledging the support of both outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump. He expressed that the deal was a result of the courage of Israel’s fighters and the nation’s steadfast commitment to its vital interests, despite significant internal and external pressures.
Netanyahu outlined three core principles that guided the negotiations: Israel’s right to return to military action with U.S. support if the deal’s next phase fails, an increase in the number of hostages to be freed, with 33 hostages expected to be released in the first phase, and Israel’s continued control over the Philadelphi Corridor and the security buffer zone around Gaza. He also confirmed a slight increase in Israeli forces in the region, despite previous reports suggesting reductions.
The ceasefire, facilitated by Qatar, is set to begin at 8:30 am local time on Sunday. Both sides have indicated that a prisoner exchange will likely take place later in the day. Humanitarian efforts, including aid delivery to Gaza, are being accelerated. Earlier, Netanyahu demanded that Hamas provide a list of hostages to be released as part of the agreement, but delays in receiving the list did not affect Israel’s determination to fulfill the terms. Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to ensuring the deal’s terms were met, stressing the temporary nature of the ceasefire. He warned that if the war needed to resume, Israel would do so with unmatched strength.
This ceasefire represents a critical pause in 15 months of conflict, offering a potential path toward reducing the severity of one of the deadliest and most destructive confrontations between Israel and Hamas in recent years.
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