Cabinet to vote on ceasefire deal this morning | Settlers attack residents of Huwara | Hamas calls deal 'defeat' for Israel

10:32 - Israel says Hamas tries to withdraw from agreements

"Hamas has reneged on parts of the agreement reached with the mediators and Israel in an effort to extort last-minute concessions," the Prime Minister's Office stated.

"The Israeli Cabinet will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement," the statement added.

10:00 - Cabinet meeting for hostage deal postponed, talks over last details continue

The cabinet meeting during which the hostage deal was meant to be approved will be moved to later today, Channel 13 News reported.

There are still some unresolved issues that haven't been agreed upon yet, the report added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently heading a situation assessment regarding the ceasefire.

08:40 - Rocket fell in open area in Nir Am

Following sirens that sounded at 8:01 in Nir Am, the IDF announced that a fallen projectile was identified in an open area. The details are under review.

08:24 - Israeli cabinet to vote on hostage release deal later today 

Israel’s cabinet is expected to vote later this morning on the decision to formally ratify an agreement for a 42-day cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza.

The deal is expected to pass the vote, even if National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir carries through his threat to leave the government. Both Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have publicly opposed the deal, calling it a surrender to Hamas. 

08:05 - Sirens sound in Nir Am, Gaza Envelope

The IDF announced that sirens sounded in Nir Am, near the Gaza border.

08:00 - Israeli settlers attack Palestinian town of Huwara 

According to Palestinian reports, Israeli settlers entered the town of Huwara, attacking homes. 

Breaking 🚨: groups of Settlers terrorists are attacking the village of Hawara right now and Palestinian men are defending their village with stones. pic.twitter.com/3HfSIwlnY1

— Khalil Sayegh خليل الصايغ (@KhalilJeries) January 15, 2025

Tensions have flared in Huwara since several Israelis were killed there in 2023, which led to a settler-led attack on the town in February 2023.  

07:35 - Gaza authorities continue to report Israeli airstrikes as ceasefire deal approaches 

The Gaza Civil Defense reported seven people killed in IDF airstrikes in Gaza City just hours after the announcement of a hostage release ceasefire deal. The ceasefire deal is expected to take effect Sunday afternoon. 

03:30 - Hamas leaders calls ceasefire a defeat for Israel 

Senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, in a televised address, said that Israel failed to achieve its goals in Gaza. He also called the recently announced agreement a “historic moment”, describing it as a defeat for the Jewish state. 

“Our people have thwarted the declared and hidden goals of the occupation. Today we prove that the occupation will never defeat our people and their resistance,” al-Hayya stated. 

03:25 - Netanyahu accuses Hamas of trying to change decisions made in the agreement 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement, "Prime Minister Netanyahu held a conference call a short time ago with the negotiating team in Doha, which informed him of last-minute attempts by Hamas to retract the May 27 agreements.

Among other things, in contrast to an explicit clause that gives Israel veto power over the release of mass murderers who are symbols of terrorism, Hamas demands that the identity of these terrorists be dictated.

The prime minister instructed the negotiating team to insist on the understandings that were agreed upon, and to reject out of hand the last-minute extortion attempts by Hamas.” 

02:35 - Biden congratulated Netanyahu on the ceasefire deal 

The White House released a statement saying that President Joe Biden called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on the ceasefire deal.  

“President Biden spoke today with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel to congratulate him on the ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas. The two leaders discussed the unimaginable conditions the hostages – including Americans – have experienced over their 15 months in captivity and the terrible suffering their families have faced, and expressed their joy that hostages will soon be reunited with their families.”

02:25 - Trump National Security Advisor says it will back Israel if it needs to ‘go back in’ Gaza 

Speaking to Fox News' Brett Baier, President Trump’s pick for National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, said, “We made it very clear to the Israelis, and I want the people of Israel to hear me very clearly on this, if they need to go back in, we’re with them. If Hamas doesn’t live up to the terms of this agreement, we’re with them. Hamas is not going to continue as a military entity, and it certainly is not going to govern Gaza. I want people to hear that crystal, crystal clear.” 

00:12 - Prime Minister’s Office - ‘We are working on the final details of the agreement’ 

The Prime Minister’s Office said a couple minutes ago, “An official statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be issued only after the completion of the final details of the agreement, which are being worked on at present.”