Israel-Hamas ceasefire live updates: Netanyahu thanked US President-elect Donald Trump in a call after Gaza truce deal

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu called Donald Trump to thank him after reaching deal with Hamas in Gaza.

“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 Pm’s office posted on X.

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller thanked Donald Trump’s team after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire and hostage deal.

“When it comes to the involvement of President-Elect Trump’s team, it has been absolutely critical in getting this deal over the line. It’s been critical because obviously, as I stand here today, this administration’s term in office will expire in five days…We, of course, thank the Trump team for working with us on this cease-fire agreement. We think it’s important that they were at the table. It shows that when Americans are willing to work together across partisan lines, as we were willing to do on this occasion because it’s in the national interests of the United States, a lot can get done.”, he said.

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.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late Wednesday that a ceasefire agreement with Hamas is still not complete and the final details are being worked out, reported AP.

Netanyahu’s statement comes hours after the United States and Qatar announced the deal, which would pause the devastating 15-month war in Gaza and clear the way for dozens of hostages to go home. The conflict has destabilized the Middle East and sparked worldwide protests.

“The ceasefire and hostage release deal announced between Israel and Hamas is good news – for the families of the hostages taken on October 7th, for the Palestinian civilians who have suffered for more than a year, and for everyone who has prayed for an end to this awful chapter,” former US President Barack Obama wrote on X.

“As the President said, we have reached this point because of the pressure Israel has put on Hamas, while with the backing of the United States. Sinwar was killed. Iran’s attacks against Israel failed. Thanks to the support from the United States. Iran is weaker today than it has been in decades,” said White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean Pierre.

People came out on the streets of Tel Aviv after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire and hostage deal.

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced the three-step ceasefire agreement secured between Israel and Hamas and said that his administration worked with Trump to help reach the deal. READ MORE

A long-sought Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal emerged at the end of an intense 96 hours of negotiations in Doha brokered by US, Egyptian and Qatari diplomats who persuaded Israel and Hamas finally to agree.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday it was “imperative” the newly struck Gaza ceasefire removes obstacles to aid deliveries as he welcomed the deal that includes a prisoner and hostage exchange.

US President Joe Biden said Wednesday the three-step truce agreed between Israel and Hamas includes a “full and complete ceasefire” as part of phase one and a “permanent end to the war” in an unfinalized second phase.

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered his statement on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal and said his administration and Trump’s team were ‘speaking as one team’ in negotiations on the Gaza deal.

Qatar’s Prime Minister on Wednesday confirmed that the ceasefire in Gaza will begin on Sunday, reported AFP.

A short-term surge of aid deliveries into Gaza after a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas will be difficult if the deal does not cover security arrangements in the enclave, a senior UN official told Reuters.

Israel will gradually reduce forces in the Philadelphi corridor bordering Egypt during phase 1 of the Gaza ceasefire deal with forces completing their withdrawal no later than day 50, a copy of the deal seen by Reuters.

EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica on Wednesday hailed a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, saying the bloc “remains committed to supporting all efforts towards a long-lasting peace and recovery”, reported AFP.

US President-elect Donald Trump hailed an “epic” ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday — and claimed credit for an accord that comes days before he is due to be sworn in for his second term.

“This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November,” Trump added in a lengthy social media post.

Israel on Wednesday said that several points in the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal still needed to be resolved but expected them to be “finalised tonight,” even as news spread that an agreement with Hamas had been reached, AFP reported.

Office of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said ceasefire deal still not reached, final details being sorted out, reported AP.

Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when militants stormed into southern Israel, killed about 1,200 people and abducted around 250. A third of the 100 hostages still held in Gaza are believed to be dead, AP reported.

US President Joe Biden was preparing to address the breakthrough agreement later Thursday, AP reported quoting officials.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal, mediators announced Wednesday, pausing a devastating 15-month war in the Gaza Strip.

Israel-Hamas war live updates: Hamas will release hostages over a six-week period, with 3 hostages released every week and the remainder before the end of the period, reports Reuters.

Israel-Hamas war live updates: Qatar’s PM is due to hold a press briefing shortly, reports Reuters.

Israel-Hamas war live updates: The Israeli government will vote on the Gaza ceasefire deal on Thursday, a government official tells Reuters.

Israel-Hamas war live updates: President Joe Biden is preparing to address the breakthrough agreement later today, reports AP, citing unidentified officials.