Israeli Officials: Deal Will See 33 Hostages Freed in 1st Stage

Stand for Israel  |  January 14, 2025

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(Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Israel is in negotiations with Hamas for a hostage deal that might see 33 hostages freed in the first stage, reports The Times of Israel:

Israeli diplomatic officials said on Monday evening that Israel was in the “advanced stages of the negotiations” with Hamas for a ceasefire deal that would see the terror group release some of the hostages it has been holding in Gaza since October 7, 2023, and ending more than 15 months of war.

Briefing military and diplomatic reporters, the officials said there had been progress in the talks in Doha, which are being coordinated by mediator countries Qatar and Egypt and the outgoing and incoming US administrations, but stressed that “the deal is not finalized.”

According to the Israeli officials, the progress in the negotiations came as a result of the fall of the Iranian-led Axis in the Middle East, with the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria and the defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon, which led to more pressure on Hamas.

Please keep the remaining hostages still trapped in Gaza in your prayers, especially now as a deal is very close. We still don’t know their physical condition or even if all hostages are still alive – so please pray for the Holy Land during this difficult time. Pray for God’s loving protection and comfort.