Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Friday, January 17, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Friday, January 17, 2025
Security cabinet observers Amsalem, Strock join Ben Gvir and Smotrich in voting against hostage deal
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSecurity cabinet observers David Amsalem (Likud) and Orit Strock (Religious Zionism) joined far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in voting against the hostage deal.
Amsalem and Strock’s votes didn’t count, and the vote passed with 9 for and two against.
The network says that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted to cabinet members that Israel will likely resume fighting after the first phase — likely in violation of the deal’s terms — as he seeks to prevent hardline ministers from bolting the government.
Responding to those reports, the Hostages Forum representing the vast majority of families of Gaza captives issues a statement warning the government against breaching the hostage deal after the first phase.
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