The Office of the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that “an agreement has been reached to free the hostages” and that he ordered the Israeli political security cabinet to meet today. “Netanyahu was informed by the negotiating team that agreements have been reached on the agreement to free the hostages,” the Israeli prime minister’s office said in a statement, adding that “the government will meet to approve the agreement after today’s meeting of the political security cabinet”. Demonstrators meanwhile clashed with police during a protest against a hostage deal, the Times of Israel reports. According to a police statement, three protesters were arrested for disturbing public order and for damaging passing vehicles during the protest. One of those arrested allegedly used pepper spray against other protesters. Demonstrators reportedly blocked traffic, including emergency vehicles, and set a fire in the center of the road, the statement added. Opponents of the deal announced yesterday argue that its terms could put national security at risk by releasing a significant number of Palestinians convicted of terrorism, leaving some hostages in Gaza and allowing Hamas to remain operational.
Official Israeli sources, cited by the national media, believe that the release of the hostages is likely to take place on Monday, coinciding with the inauguration of the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, in the White House. The vote on the agreement between the Israeli government and cabinet, scheduled for today, will continue until Saturday. Therefore, according to the same sources, it is plausible that the first three prisoners will be released on Monday, excluding the possibility of a release on Sunday. The Minister of National Security, ITamar Ben Gvir, announced Thursday that his party, Otzma Yehudit, he will leave the government coalition if the agreement for the release of the hostages with Hamas is approved. “This agreement is reckless,” declared Ben Gvir, underlining how the joy expressed by pro-Hamas representatives, such as the parliamentarian Ayman Odehand the celebrations in the territories of Gaza, Judea and Samaria, are clear signs of a surrender by the Israeli government. The minister then called on political allies to follow his example: “I call on members of the Religious Zionist Party and idealistic Likud parliamentarians to join us in preventing the implementation of this irresponsible agreement.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Thursday evening Bezalel Smotrichleader of the Religious Zionist Party and Minister of Finance, to discuss issues related to the hostage deal. The meeting, which concluded before 2:00 am, produced no agreement. During the meeting, Smotrich made a series of demands, including the resumption of military operations at the end of the agreement and a radical change in the management of the conflict. The proposals include a halt to humanitarian aid and other measures to strengthen Israel’s position in the war.
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