18.01.2025 16:00
Israel approved a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza after hours of meetings. A striking claim has emerged from the U.S. press regarding the agreement, which will come into effect tomorrow at 09:30. The report suggests that Donald Trump, who is set to take the presidential seat in the U.S., conveyed a stern message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to approve the ceasefire.
The Israeli government signed a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza after hours of meetings. A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office reported that the draft agreement was approved in a cabinet meeting. The statement noted that the timeline for the release of prisoners would begin to be implemented on Sunday, January 19.
CEASEFIRE START TIME ANNOUNCED
With the approval of the ceasefire, Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majid al-Ansari provided information on social media about the time the ceasefire would come into effect. Majid al-Ansari stated that the ceasefire would start at 08:30 local time (09:30 TRT).
INCIDENT CLAIM FROM US PRESS
After the approval of the ceasefire, a striking claim emerged from the US press. The report suggested that the new US President Donald Trump instructed his special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, to convey a "stern message" to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, saying, "Make the deal."
"TRUMP REQUESTED THE CEASEFIRE"
It was claimed that Witkoff, who came from Qatar to Israel to meet with Netanyahu last week, told Netanyahu, "President (Trump) has become a great friend of Israel, and now it is time to be his friend," requesting the approval of the ceasefire.
DELEGATION WENT AFTER TRUMP'S INSTRUCTION
The report also stated that Netanyahu instructed his negotiation team to go to Qatar to finalize the agreement upon receiving the message from Trump. No statement has yet been made by either side regarding the matter.
CEASEFIRE PROCESS
Qatar, one of the mediating countries, announced on January 15 that an agreement had been reached between Israel and Hamas regarding a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza. The agreement will come into effect on Sunday, January 19. The ceasefire agreement, which consists of 3 phases, will see 33 Israeli prisoners released in the first 42 days.
The agreement also includes the comprehensive delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, as well as allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their regions. The details of the second and third phases will be announced upon the completion of the first phase.