The ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas might not occur as soon as expected. According to security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, the hostages will be released "in accordance with the original agreement between the two sides," but not until after some time, potentially Friday.
Negotiations continue, with the Israeli cabinet approving the deal, but a lack of signature from Hamas and mediator Qatar has slowed down the process, causing a 24-hour delay, as reported by Kan. The uncertainty is causing concern amid fears that Hamas may use the ceasefire period to regroup before launching renewed attacks, as suggested by far-right Minister for National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has contacted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, discussing the hostage release and regional developments. The US reiterated its commitment to ensuring the agreement's implementation and prevent forced displacement or border alterations.
While the details of the hostage release have yet to be finalized, there is optimism that the ceasefire will eventually be implemented, along with the release of hostages as stipulated in the agreement between Israel and Hamas.
During a video conference, aid organizations expressed concerns about the agreement's insufficiency, particularly in terms of human rights and delivering aid within the brief ceasefire period. However, efforts have been made to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, with Israel allowing in 150 aid trucks and 50 mobile caravans.
The fragility of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement continues to be influenced by local and international political factors, such as the proposed relocation of Gaza's population by U.S. President Donald Trump, which has been met with rejection by Palestinians and Arab countries.
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Additional Insights:
- Negotiations at this stage are surrounded by uncertainty due to concerns over Palestinian and Arab countries' rejection of U.S. President Donald Trump's Gaza relocation proposal.
- Egyptian and Qatari mediators have played a crucial role in maintaining the fragile ceasefire and facilitating negotiations for the release of hostages.
- Hamas has named three Israeli hostages—Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel Chen, and Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov—to be released on Saturday, contingent upon Israel adhering to the agreement's terms.
[1] "Israel-Gaza Conflict: Ceasefire begins after days of fighting," BBC News, January 21, 2025, . [2] "Israel, Hamas agree to ceasefire, but show no sign of peace deal," AP News, January 20, 2025, . [3] "Israel-Gaza ceasefire: 'Fragile' truce in place for 72 hours, says Hamas," BBC News, January 19, 2025, .
