Israeli Hostage Releases and Gaza Ceasefire Agreement Update

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced Sunday that an agreement has been reached with Hamas to release additional hostages starting this Thursday, while also allowing Palestinians to return to the northern part of the Gaza Strip beginning Monday morning.

Qatar helped mediate the agreement, which is expected to ease the first major crisis of the fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.

"After firm and determined negotiations led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, Hamas has backed down and will conduct an additional phase of hostage releases this coming Thursday," Netanyahu's office said. "As part of this phase, Israeli citizen Arbel Yehud, soldier Agam Berger, and one additional hostage will be released."

The statement also noted that three additional hostages will be released on Saturday as part of the agreement.

Israel confirmed Hamas handed over a list that specified the condition of the hostages expected to be released in the first stage. Local media also reported the list specified the number of living and dead hostages, though names were not included.

Israeli officials claim most of the 26 remaining hostages are alive, which coincides with the list Hamas provided.

Netanyahu's office also said Israel will allow Palestinians to return to the northern part of the Gaza Strip beginning Monday morning under the agreement with Hamas.

Netanyahu reiterated that Israel will not tolerate any violation of the agreement between the two parties, adding that he will continue to push for the return of all hostages, dead or alive.

Likewise, the White House released a statement on Sunday afternoon saying the arrangement between Israel and Lebanon will be monitored by the U.S. and will remain in effect until Feb. 18, 2025.

The agreement between Israel and Hamas comes after the former accused the latter of changing the order of hostages it had planned to release. As a result, Israeli forces blocked thousands of Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza.

Israeli forces also announced Friday that they would not withdraw from southern Lebanon as the ceasefire requires until the Lebanese government fully implements its responsibilities. According to the agreement, both groups were expected to make withdrawals by Sunday.

Disputes have arisen following President Donald Trump's call for Egypt and Jordan to accept refugees from Gaza to "clean out" the region. He expressed hope that Egypt could take a significant number of people, saying, "You're talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, 'You know, it's over.'

Trump also commended Jordan for accepting Palestinian refugees but indicated a desire for the king to take in more refugees, emphasizing the dire situation in Gaza.