January 17, 2025: A historic agreement between Israel and Hamas to release hostages and implement a ceasefire in Gaza was signed in Doha on Friday, marking a significant step toward halting the violence that has ravaged the region for over a year. The deal, announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, follows intense mediation efforts and a final push by negotiators.

The ceasefire deal, which will pause the fighting in Gaza, aims to secure the release of dozens of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Netanyahu confirmed the agreement just hours after disclosing that a last-minute dispute with Hamas had delayed Israel's approval of the ceasefire terms. In his statement, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s primary goal remains the return of all hostages, whether living or deceased.

"The State of Israel is committed to achieving all the goals of the war, including the return of all our hostages," Netanyahu’s office said, citing the ongoing efforts to facilitate their return. A special task force has been assigned to prepare for the hostages' arrival, and their families have been informed that the deal has been reached.

The ceasefire is a critical development in a war that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a devastating cross-border attack into Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 others. In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign has led to the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who report that women and children make up a significant portion of the casualties.

Despite the agreement, Netanyahu faces resistance from his far-right coalition partners, who have opposed the ceasefire. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a staunch critic of the ceasefire, had previously threatened to resign if the deal was approved. As of now, there has been no further comment from Ben-Gvir on the situation.

The ceasefire agreement brings a temporary halt to a 15-month war that has destabilized the Middle East and sparked global protests. The Israeli government is expected to convene a security cabinet meeting later today to formally approve the deal, which could bring an end to one of the most devastating conflicts in the region in recent years.