Ceasefire Deal Between Israel Agreed To "In Principle", 33 Hostages Would Be Released During Phase 1

U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump had said earlier in the month that if the hostages weren't released by the time he gets into office "all hell would break out" in the Middle East.

JERUSALEM - An initial agreement on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has been reached 'in principle.' The deal is structured in three phases, with the first phase involving the release of 33 of the 98 hostages currently held by Hamas, alongside the release of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.

Damage in Gaza Strip - Credit: Palestinian News & Information Agency (Wafa) in contract with APAimages, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

IDF on High Alert for Potential "Extreme" Actions by Iran; Tehran Conducts Military Drill, Alleges US and UK Attacks on Yemen

Israeli Military To Iran, Proxies: Ready To Strike At Any Time And Place. New Syrian FM Warns Iran Of Spreading Chaos" In Syria

Pentagon Addresses Ceasefire Between Israel, Lebanon, Drones Spotted Flying Over British Bases Used By American Forces, Shift Policy On Long-Range Missiles Given To Ukraine

Although there is a purported draft of the agreement circulating on social media, we have been unable to verify its authenticity. Additionally, it resembles a summary rather than a formal draft agreement and lacks any official signatures.

Since Hamas's surprise attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023, the Hamas-led Gaza Health Ministry reports that the total number of Palestinian deaths has reached 45,936 as of January 8th, 2025. However, this figure has been contested and does not distinguish between combatant and civilian casualties.

Since the war began, the death toll includes 1,706 Israeli casualties and 3,002 Lebanese fatalities, as reported by Lebanon’s Health Ministry in November 2023. The IDF estimates that around 3,800 Hezbollah fighters have been killed and over 7,000 injured. Meanwhile, Hezbollah reports over 4,047 fighters killed and 16,638 wounded.

Reported Numbers:

• Palestinian deaths: 45,936 (as of January 8th, 2025, reported by the Hamas-led Gaza Health Ministry)

• Israeli deaths: 1,706

• Lebanese deaths: 3,002 (reported by Lebanon’s Health Ministry in November 2023)

• Hezbollah fighters (IDF estimates): 3,800 killed, (Hezbollah Reported): 4,047 killed.

U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump had said earlier in the month that if the hostages weren't released by the time he gets into office "all hell would break out" in the Middle East.

President-elect Donald J. Trump

During a briefing to reporters, Trump told his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, "I don't want to hurt your negotiation, but if they're not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East, and it will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone."

Witkoff said the negotiations are making a great deal of progress and added, "It’s the president, his reputation, the things that he has said that are driving this negotiation, and so hopefully it’ll all work out and we’ll save some lives".

Only Phase 1 Of The Deal Has Been Agreed Upon With A Partial Hostage Release, Leaving Families Concerned About The Remaining Hostages