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ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 469

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LiveUpdated 3min ago

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a security assessment in Jerusalem to discuss the ceasefire deal with Hamas, January 17, 2025. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Government to discuss Gaza deal into Shabbat after security cabinet approves it

Elana Kirsh and ToI Staff

PM’s Office says first hostages to be released on Sunday as planned * Shin Bet says Katz didn’t consult before announcing decision to free settlers from administrative detention

3:57 pm

Einav Zanguaker, whose son is only set to be freed in 2nd phase: 'Violating the deal will be death sentence for hostages'
3:39 pm

Ben Gvir makes last-minute plea for ministers to vote against hostage deal: 'It's not too late, we can stop this deal'
3:16 pm

Herzog welcomes security cabinet approval of Gaza deal, says he 'expects the government to do so as well'
3:09 pm

Security cabinet recommends hostage release-ceasefire deal; full cabinet about to convene

The security cabinet meets in Jerusalem on January 17, 2025 to discuss the ceasefire-hostage release deal. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Security cabinet approves hostage-ceasefire deal; full cabinet meets to review, vote on it

By Amy Spiro, Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff

First hostages to be freed Sunday afternoon; Smotrich said to reach agreement with PM to stay in coalition; relatives of hostages not set for release in 1st phase urge public support for next stage

People walk past an installation consisting of a clock counting the time since Hamas's October 7, 2023 massacre, set up on a square outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, now informally called the "Hostages Square", in Tel Aviv on January 16, 2025. (Jack Guez/AFP)

Israel and Hamas sign Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal after mediators iron out final kinks

By Jacob Magid, Amy Spiro and ToI Staff

Demonstrators stand beside mock coffins draped in Israeli flags, protesting the ceasefire deal with Hamas, outside the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on January 16, 2025. The headline on the placard reads: "Until The Victory." (John Wessels / AFP)

Israel holds off on approving hostage deal, accusing Hamas of reneging on details

By Amy Spiro and Jacob Magid

A sign calling for the release of hostages held by terror groups in Gaza, near the Israeli border with the Strip, January 16, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Live updates (closed)Jan. 16: Hostages Forum urges government to approve deal ‘with the requisite urgency’

By Elana Kirsh and ToI Staff

Israeli protesters carry mock coffins draped in the national flag of Israel during a protest against the ceasefire with Hamas outside the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on January 16, 2025. (John Wessels / AFP)

ToI podcastDaily Briefing Jan. 16: Day 468 – The complexities of making a deal with the devil

By Amanda Borschel-Dan and David Horovitz

The 33 houstages set to be returned in phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal. Row 1 (L-R): Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, Arbel Yehud, Doron Steinbrecher, Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, Shiri Bibas; Row 2: Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Danielle Gilboa, Naama Levy, Ohad Ben-Ami, Gadi Moshe Moses; Row 3: Keith Siegel, Ofer Calderon, Eli Sharabi, Itzik Elgarat, Shlomo Mansour, Ohad Yahalomi, Oded Lifshitz; Row 4: Tsahi Idan, Hisham al-Sayed, Yarden Bibas, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Yair Horn, Omer Wenkert, Sasha Trufanov; Row 5: Eliya Cohen, Or Levy, Avera Mengistu, Tal Shoham, Omer Shem-Tov (all photos courtesy)

These are the 33 hostages set to be returned in phase one of the Gaza ceasefire

By ToI Staff and Agencies

Families of the captives have been notified, though it is not yet known who among the 33 is alive and who is not

Freed Palestinian security prisoner Ateya Abu Moussa, held by Israel for 20 years, is greeted by his relatives and friends upon arrival at his family's house in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Aug. 14, 2013. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)

For many Israelis, prospect of hostage release is tempered by concerns about freeing terrorists

By Deborah Danan

Shiri Bibas (center) and her sons Ariel, 4, (left) and baby Kfir, who were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023 (Courtesy)

Israel-Hamas deal draws renewed attention to hostage children Kfir and Ariel Bibas

By JTA and ToI Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a security assessment in Jerusalem to discuss the ceasefire deal with Hamas, January 17, 2025. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

LiveUpdated 3min ago

Government to discuss Gaza deal into Shabbat after security cabinet approves it

By Elana Kirsh and ToI Staff

PM’s Office says first hostages to be released on Sunday as planned * Shin Bet says Katz didn’t consult before announcing decision to free settlers from administrative detention

The security cabinet meets in Jerusalem on January 17, 2025 to discuss the ceasefire-hostage release deal. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Security cabinet approves hostage-ceasefire deal; full cabinet meets to review, vote on it

By Amy Spiro, Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff

First hostages to be freed Sunday afternoon; Smotrich said to reach agreement with PM to stay in coalition; relatives of hostages not set for release in 1st phase urge public support for next stage

Israel and Hamas sign Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal after mediators iron out final kinks

By Jacob Magid, Amy Spiro and ToI Staff

Israel holds off on approving hostage deal, accusing Hamas of reneging on details

By Amy Spiro and Jacob Magid

Live updates (closed)Jan. 16: Hostages Forum urges government to approve deal ‘with the requisite urgency’

By Elana Kirsh and ToI Staff

ToI podcastDaily Briefing Jan. 16: Day 468 – The complexities of making a deal with the devil

By Amanda Borschel-Dan and David Horovitz

The 33 houstages set to be returned in phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal. Row 1 (L-R): Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, Arbel Yehud, Doron Steinbrecher, Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, Shiri Bibas; Row 2: Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Danielle Gilboa, Naama Levy, Ohad Ben-Ami, Gadi Moshe Moses; Row 3: Keith Siegel, Ofer Calderon, Eli Sharabi, Itzik Elgarat, Shlomo Mansour, Ohad Yahalomi, Oded Lifshitz; Row 4: Tsahi Idan, Hisham al-Sayed, Yarden Bibas, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Yair Horn, Omer Wenkert, Sasha Trufanov; Row 5: Eliya Cohen, Or Levy, Avera Mengistu, Tal Shoham, Omer Shem-Tov (all photos courtesy)

These are the 33 hostages set to be returned in phase one of the Gaza ceasefire

By ToI Staff and Agencies

Families of the captives have been notified, though it is not yet known who among the 33 is alive and who is not

Freed Palestinian security prisoner Ateya Abu Moussa, held by Israel for 20 years, is greeted by his relatives and friends upon arrival at his family's house in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Aug. 14, 2013. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)

For many Israelis, prospect of hostage release is tempered by concerns about freeing terrorists

By Deborah Danan

Shiri Bibas (center) and her sons Ariel, 4, (left) and baby Kfir, who were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023 (Courtesy)

Israel-Hamas deal draws renewed attention to hostage children Kfir and Ariel Bibas

By JTA and ToI Staff

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir holds a press conference together with members of his far-right Otzma Yehudit party in Jerusalem. January 16, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/FLASH90)

Ben Gvir says his party will quit government if cabinet implements hostage-ceasefire deal

‘Reckless deal’ will lead to ‘the release of hundreds of murderous terrorists’ and ‘effectively erase the achievements of the war,’ warns far-right leader

Protesters clash with police during an anti-hostage deal protest in Jerusalem, January 16, 2025. (Flash90)

Right-wingers rally in Jerusalem against ‘Trump deal,’ urge government to oppose it

By Charlie Summers

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich leads a Religious Zionism faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on December 9, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Religious Zionism says will quit coalition if no return to war after deal’s 1st phase

Ruth Strom speaks at a commemorative event for residents of Kfar Sava in Hamas captivity, July 9, 2024. Her two captive sons are depicted on the mural behind her: Eitan Horn, left, and Iair Horn. (Screen capture: Facebook/Bring Them Home Now -- Kfar Saba, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

A mother’s anguish: One son to be freed from Gaza, another left behind

By Reuters and ToI Staff

A group of Israelis watch as a helicopter carrying hostages released from the Gaza Strip lands at the helipad of the Schneider Children's Medical Center in Petah Tikva November 26, 2023.(AP/Leo Correa)

Guidelines for hospitals set to receive hostages include STD checks, pregnancy tests

By Diana Bletter

Ministry official says new protocols differ ‘significantly’ from November 2023 hostage release, as captives to return from over 15 months in captivity

Defense Minister Israel Katz (C) attends a discussion on the army conscription law at a Foreign Affairs and Defense committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on January 14, 2025.(Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Katz releases all settlers in administrative detention, ties it to Palestinians’ release

By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff

‘It is better for the families of Jewish settlers to be happy than the families of freed terrorists,’ defense minister says ahead of Gaza deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks on the phone with US President-elect Donald Trump on January 15, 2025. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)

Analysis

Haviv Rettig Gur

With hostage deal, Netanyahu is going all in on Trump

The prime minister is risking a schism with his closest political allies to advance a deal with Hamas. He has good reason to think it’s worth the gamble

US Rep. Michael Waltz walks into the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill on January 14, 2025. (Kayla Bartkowski/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Top Trump official says US will back renewed Israeli offensive in Gaza if needed

AnalysisThey love Trump, but many on the right loathe the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal he demanded

Inside storyArab officials: Trump envoy swayed Netanyahu more in one meeting than Biden did all year

Those we have lost

Stories of the civilians and soldiers who have fallen in the Israel-Hamas war

Those We Have Lost
Fatma Alttalaqat, 35: Bedouin mother of 9 murdered by Hamas

By ToI Staff
Those We Have Lost
Rajesh Kumar Swarnakar, 25: Nepali student ‘was family’s hope’

By ToI Staff
Those We Have Lost
Yarin Efraim, 24: A selfless man with a memorable wide smile

By ToI Staff
Those we have lost
Warrant Officer Ibrahim Kharuba, 39: ‘Fought until his last breath’

By ToI Staff
Those We Have Lost
Itay Banjo, 30: Loved to cook for his friends ‘like a grandmother’

By ToI Staff
Those we have lost
Sharon Gordani, 25: Engineering student would play guitar for family

By ToI Staff
Those We Have Lost
Sgt. Dvir Lisha, 21: Born in Gush Katif, killed near Gaza

By ToI Staff
Those We Have Lost
Eitan Ziv, 74, Tami Peleg Ziv, 72: Lives entwined with nation’s history

By ToI Staff
Those We Have Lost
Lilach Kipnis, 60: Child trauma specialist and peace activist

By ToI Staff
Those we have lost
Libby Cohen Meguri, 22: ‘God sprinkled her with charisma powder’

By ToI Staff
Those we have lost
Amit Cohen, 25: Shielded girlfriend and her sister until the end

By ToI Staff
Those we have lost
Lt. Yuval Yoffe, 21: Tank commander loved to play and watch soccer

By ToI Staff
Those we have lost
Lior Ben Yaakov, 44: Father of 3 slain while protecting his home

By ToI Staff
Those We Have Lost
Abi Korin, 56: ‘An Argentinian with great joy for life’

By ToI Staff
Those we have lost
Ron Benjamin, 53: Avid bike rider and devoted family man

By ToI Staff
Those we have lost
Addir Mesika, 23: Charged at terrorists to save girlfriend and friends

By ToI Staff
Those We Have Lost
Staff Sgt. Hallel Saadon, 21: Horse lover was former camp counselor

By ToI Staff
Those We Have Lost
Aharon Haimov, 25: Ambulance driver killed on way to treat victims

By ToI Staff
Those we have lost
Ben Shimoni, 31: Music-loving ‘angel’ who saved 9 from Supernova

By ToI Staff
Those we have lost
Master Sgt. Avi Buzaglo, 26: Police officer slain defending hometown

By ToI Staff

Those we are missing

The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown

Those we are missing
Taken captive: Ofer Calderon, initially escaped through window

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Segev Kalfon, last seen running across Highway 232

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Shiri Bibas and her redheaded babies

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Elkana Bohbot, young son asking, ‘Where’s Daddy?’

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Surasak Lamnau, Thai worker abducted with employer

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Matan Zangauker, ‘is a survivor’

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Ziv Berman, from his home in Kfar Aza’s young generation neighborhood

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Or Levy arrived at festival minutes before onslaught

By AP
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Gali Berman, from Kfar Aza’s ‘young neighborhood’

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: UK citizen Emily Damari from her Kfar Aza apartment

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Pinta Nattapong, saving up for a coffee shop

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: David Cunio, abducted from burning house

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: US citizen Keith Siegel, driven to Gaza in his own car

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Edan Alexander, told mother he was safe

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Amazon employee Sasha Trufanov

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Ohad Ben Ami, dual Israeli-German citizen

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Romi Gonen, after being shot in car by terrorists

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Liri Albag, seen in Hamas video being abducted

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Ohad Yahalomi, shot in the leg by terrorists

By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Maxim Herkin, was attending his first trance rave

By ToI Staff

Tales of the Times

The quirky, improbable, infuriating and uplifting

If you will it
AI music clip imagines all hostages released, a new MidEast

By Jessica Steinberg
Cashing out
Thieves steal ATM from mall in central Israel, can’t open it

By Charlie Summers
City space
Tel Aviv-Jaffa offers urban tours during January

By Jessica Steinberg
Second coming
Mel Gibson announces ‘acid trip’ sequel to ‘Passion of the Christ’

By ToI Staff
Canned
French mayor scraps recycling ads showing Iran’s Khamenei

By AFP
Worlds collide
11 artists living between Israel and US express their journey at Olim Artists Lab

By Jessica Steinberg
Played for Israel in 2023
Pirates welcome Jewish player Spencer Horwitz to the team

By Jonathan Mayo
Pinning blame
Gal Gadot denies she was forbidden to wear hostage pin at Golden Globes

By ToI Staff
Sworn to Reform
Elissa Slotkin sworn into US Senate on Reform women’s Torah commentary

By PHILISSA CRAMER
We'll eat where they're eating
Katz’s Deli will become accessible to the disabled after federal lawsuit

By Luke Tress
Greece light-ning
Israeli and Greek music mesh in Cyprus concerts on Hanukkah

By Jessica Steinberg
Superman
Singer Idan Amedi, injured in Gaza, performs for bereaved kids

By Jessica Steinberg
Crowning achievements
Stephen Fry knighted, other British Jews honored by king

By ToI Staff and Agencies
Handle with care
Mohammad, Avigail most popular baby names for 2024

By ToI Staff
A 'Hannukah' shanda
NYT game misspells Hanukkah in Festival of Lights-themed puzzle

By PHILISSA CRAMER
✝ marks the spot
Child finds unique decorated cross on Jerusalem field trip

By Gavriel Fiske
Coming in hot
NASA probe makes closest ever pass by sun, sustaining 1,700ºF heat

By AFP
'Fighting the darkness'
Zelensky lights candles with rabbis to mark third wartime Hanukkah

By PHILISSA CRAMER
Holiday guide
As Hanukkah begins, here are 8 special activities in New York City

By Lisa Keys
Not so slick
Cops put squeeze on suspected looters at ancient olive oil complex

By Gavriel Fiske

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