Tel Aviv [Israel], January 16 (ANI): Following the ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in discussions with US President-elect Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden.
During these conversations, Netanyahu expressed his gratitude for their support in facilitating the release of hostages. He reaffirmed Israel‘s commitment to securing the release of all hostages and praised President Trump for emphasising the need to ensure Gaza does not become a haven for terrorism. Both leaders agreed to meet in Washington soon to further address these issues.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office in a post on X wrote, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke this evening with US President-elect Donald Trump and thanked him for his assistance in advancing the release of the hostages and for helping Israel bring an end to the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families.”
“The Prime Minister made it clear that he is committed to returning all of the hostages however he can and commended the US President-elect for his remarks that the US would work with Israel to ensure that Gaza will never be a haven for terrorism. The two decided to meet in Washington soon in order to discuss this and other important issues,” the post added.
Netanyahu also thanked President Biden for his assistance in advancing the hostage deal.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu then spoke with US President Joe Biden and thanked him as well for his assistance in advancing the hostages deal,” the post said.
Notably, following the reports of Israel and Hamas agreeing to a ceasefire deal, Trump had said that this progress had been made even before his return to the White House. He also emphasised the potential for the “wonderful things” once his administration is fully confirmed and in power.
Sharing a post on the social media platform Truth Social, he wrote, “This epic ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our historic victory in November, as it signalled to the entire world that my administration would seek peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.”
He added, “We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my administration is fully confirmed so they can secure more victories for the United States!”
The US President-elect also highlighted the efforts of his National Security team and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and ensured “promoting peace through strength” throughout the region.
“With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our allies to make sure Gaza never again becomes a terrorist safe haven. We will continue promoting peace through strength throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords. This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the world,” the post added.
Biden on Wednesday had announced the successful negotiation of a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, ending over 15 months of conflict. The deal, structured in three phases, includes a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of hostages, including Americans, in the first phase.

Biden had said, “The road to this deal has not been easy. I have worked in foreign policy for decades – this has been one of the toughest negotiations I have ever experienced. And we have reached this point because of the pressure that Israel built on Hamas backed by the United States.” (ANI)

Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal likely to take effect from January 19

Doha [Qatar], January 16 (ANI): Qatar, Egypt, and the United States in a joint statement on Wednesday confirmed that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
It is likely to take effect on January 19, the agreement outlines a three-stage process aimed at securing a “sustainable calm,” including the release of hostages and prisoners, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas, and humanitarian aid operation.
The Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said, “The State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America announced that the parties to the conflict in Gaza have reached an agreement to release hostages in exchange of hostages and prisoners and return to a sustainable calm ultimately achieving a permanent ceasefire between the parties. The agreement is expected to come into effect as 19 January 2025.”
It added, “The agreement reached by the two parties includes three stages. The first stage, which lasts for 42 days, includes a ceasefire, the withdrawal and redeployment of Israeli forces outside densely populated areas, the release of hostages and exchange of prisoners and detainees, the exchange of the remains of the deceased, the return of internally displaced persons to their places of residence in the Gaza strip, and facilitating the departure of patients and wounded to receive treatment.”
The joint statement further said that the first stage also includes intensifying the safe and effective entry and distribution of humanitarian aid on a large scale throughout the Gaza strip, rehabilitating hospitals, health centres, and bakeries, bringing in civil defence supplies and fuel, and bringing in shelter supplies for displaced persons who lost their homes due to the war.
“In this context, the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America affirm that their policy as guarantors of this agreement is to help ensure that all three of its stages will be fully implemented by both parties. Accordingly, the mediators will work together to ensure that the parties implement their obligations in the agreement and that the three stages continue in full,” the statement added.
The three nations, acting as guarantors of the deal, pledged to work closely with the United Nations and international partners to ensure full implementation of the agreement.
“The guarantors will also work in coordination with the UN, other providers of assistance, and partners from around the world to support the rapid and sustained surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza under the terms outlined in the agreement. We call on other countries to join and support these efforts under mechanisms we have established to help implement the agreement,” the joint statement said.
Meanwhile, Qatar‘s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani praised the role of all envoys involved in facilitating the ceasefire deal and reaffirmed Qatar‘s commitment to peace and stability in the region.
“The momentum built over the past month, supported by close collaboration with our partners, has led us to this pivotal moment. We thank all envoys involved for their vital role in achieving this progress and reaffirm our commitment to peace and stability in the region,” Al Thani said.

He added, “With faith and commitment, we have reached this moment. Together with our partners, we will ensure the implementation of this agreement. A joint follow-up mechanism between Qatar, Egypt, and the US will monitor progress to safeguard the deal and bring lasting peace.”
Earlier, US President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced the successful negotiation of a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, ending over 15 months of conflict. The deal, structured in three phases, includes a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of hostages, including Americans, in the first phase. (ANI)