January 17, 2025 Books, News, Slider

By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have reportedly reached an agreement and the cabinet is set to approve the ceasefire deal.

Meanwhile, Gaza remains under heavy bombardment, with scores killed and injured as the United States presses Israel to adhere to the ceasefire timeline.

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, 46,707 Palestinians have been killed, and 110,265 wounded in Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza starting on October 7, 2023.

Click here for previous blogs.

Sat, Jan 18, 4:47 AM (Palestine Time)

Five Palestinians Killed in Israeli Airstrike on Tent in Al-Mawasi

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Palestinian media reported early this Saturday morning that five Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a tent sheltering displaced individuals in Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.

Sat, Jan 18, 3:56 AM (Palestine Time)

Israeli Airstrikes Hit Central and Northern Rafah

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Palestinian media reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes targeted central and northern areas of Rafah in southern Gaza early Saturday. The region has been enduring Israeli attacks for over 15 months.

Sat, Jan 18, 3:54 AM (Palestine Time)

UNICEF: 35 Children Killed Daily in Gaza

UN NEWS: UNICEF reported that 35 Palestinian children have been killed daily in Gaza due to the ongoing Israeli assault. According to spokesperson James Elder, 15,000 children have died since October 7, 2023, based on medical data, highlighting the severe toll on children during the conflict.

Sat, Jan 18, 3:54 AM (Palestine Time)

Israel Publishes List of 735 Palestinian Prisoners to Be Released in First Phase

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israel’s Ministry of Justice has released a list of 735 Palestinian prisoners scheduled for release in the first phase of a prisoner swap agreement.

Sat, Jan 18, 1:34 AM (Palestine Time)

Three Killed in Israeli Airstrike East of Gaza City

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Three Palestinians were killed late on Friday in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a group of civilians in the Al-Tufah neighborhood, east of Gaza City. The Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) reported that the Israeli airstrike, conducted by drones, resulted in the deaths of three citizens and the injury of others.

Sat, Jan 18, 1:34 AM (Palestine Time)

Netanyahu: Trump Will Release Suspended Arms Shipments After Inauguration

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during a government meeting on Gaza that incoming US President Donald Trump will release all suspended arms shipments once he is inaugurated. Netanyahu also noted that Trump would fully support Israel’s return to war if the agreement is violated.

Sat, Jan 18, 1:34 AM (Palestine Time)

Palestinian Prisoners’ Authority: 1,737 Prisoners to Be Released in First Phase of Exchange Deal

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Qadoura Fares, head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Authority, stated that 1,737 Palestinian prisoners will be released in the first phase of the prisoner exchange and ceasefire deal in Gaza. Fares clarified that among the prisoners to be freed are 296 with long sentences.

Sat, Jan 18, 1:34 AM (Palestine Time)

Israeli Cabinet Expands War Objectives to Include the West Bank

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli public broadcaster (KAN) reported that the Security Cabinet added a new objective to the war, aiming to enhance security in the West Bank. Israel’s KAN radio station clarified on Friday evening that the Cabinet decided to adjust the war objectives to focus on strengthening security in the occupied West Bank, following the approval of the exchange deal with Gaza.

Sat, Jan 18, 1:34 AM (Palestine Time)

Israeli Airstrike Hits Displaced Persons’ Tent in Al-Mawasi

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Several Palestinians were injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting a tent housing displaced persons in the Al-Mawasi area, northwest of Khan Yunis. Israeli forces also launched an air raid on the town of Abasan al-Kabira, in southern Gaza, which has been under Israeli assault for over 15 months.

Sat, Jan 18, 1:21 AM (Palestine Time)

Israeli Government Approves Prisoner Exchange and Gaza Ceasefire Agreement

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli public broadcaster (KAN) reported on Saturday that the government has approved the exchange deal and ceasefire in Gaza, following a meeting after the Israeli Cabinet’s endorsement of the agreement. It was noted that 24 ministers approved the deal, while 8 ministers opposed it.

Fri, Jan 17, 10:44 PM (Palestine Time)

Army Radio: Israel Reinforces Forces Around Gaza Strip

ISRAELI MEDIA: The Israeli army’s 162nd Division will take responsibility for defense in the northern Gaza Envelope area, while the Gaza Division will handle the southern Gaza Envelope. This means only two divisions will remain in the Gaza Envelope area.

Fri, Jan 17, 9:18 PM (Palestine Time)

Human Rights Organization: 10,400 Palestinian Prisoners in Israeli Jails

Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights reports that 10,400 Palestinian prisoners are currently held in Israeli prisons.

• Among these, 5,150 were arrested since the start of the war on Gaza on October 7, 2023.
• The prisoners include 85 women, 320 children and 3,376 administrative detainees.
• 1,886 classified by Israel as “illegal combatants,” who were arrested from Gaza.
• Pre-Oslo Prisoners: 21 prisoners have been in Israeli jails since before the Oslo Accords in 1993.
• Israel is holding 52 prisoners who were released in the 2011 exchange deal.
• Life Sentences: 600 prisoners have been sentenced to life in prison, with the highest sentence being 67 life terms, served by Abdullah Barghouti.
• Health Conditions: Many prisoners suffer from serious illnesses due to medical neglect and torture.
• Prisoner Deaths: 292 prisoners have died in Israeli jails since 1967, including 55 since the war on Gaza began, 35 of whom are from Gaza.
• Hiding Corpses: The Israeli army is hiding the bodies of numerous prisoners.
• Since October 2023, Israel has arrested around 14,400 Palestinians from the West Bank, including Jerusalem, in addition to thousands from Gaza.

Fri, Jan 17, 8:34 PM (Palestine Time)

Gaza Government Prepares Plan for Return of Displaced Residents

ANADOLU: Gaza’s government was preparing to publish a plan to facilitate the return of displaced people from the central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip to their homes in Gaza City and the northern part of the enclave.

Fri, Jan 17, 8:31 PM (Palestine Time)

Trump Hosts Anti-Zionist Rabbi

ISRAELI MEDIA: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump invited Aharon Teitelbaum, the anti-Zionist Satmar Hasidic rabbi, to the White House “in recognition of his support during the election,” according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

Satmar opposes secular Zionism and Israel, claiming it violates the Torah, and its followers have regularly participated in pro-Palestinian protests in New York since October 7, 2023.

Fri, Jan 17, 7:48 PM (Palestine Time)

99th Division to Gradually Withdraw from Netzarim Axis

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli Army Radio reports that the 99th Division will gradually withdraw from the Netzarim axis in Gaza as part of the prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreement.

Fri, Jan 17, 7:42 PM (Palestine Time)

Israeli Foreign Minister: We Haven’t Achieved Our War Objectives in Gaza

ISRAELI MEDIA: In statements to Channel 12, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said:

“For months, we have not been able to bring back a single hostage alive, so our responsibility as a government is heavy. Despite strong strikes against Hamas, we have not achieved our objectives in the war against them.”

Fri, Jan 17, 7:42 PM (Palestine Time)

Ahmad Sa’adat’s Wife Among Those to Be Released in Exchange Deal on Sunday

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: In the upcoming exchange deal on Sunday, Abla Sa’adat, the wife of Ahmad Sa’adat, the Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, will be released.

Fri, Jan 17, 7:13 PM (Palestine Time)

Army Radio: Hamas Rejects Status of Israeli Prisoners

ISRAELI MEDIA: Army Radio reported that Israel was unable to compel Hamas to provide information about which Israeli prisoners are alive or dead, highlighting a lack of accurate information.

Fri, Jan 17, 7:13 PM (Palestine Time)

Israeli Newspaper: Prisoner Release Strengthens Hamas

ISRAELI MEDIA: Yedioth Ahronoth noted that the release of Palestinian prisoners might escalate tensions in the West Bank and strengthen Hamas at the expense of the Palestinian Authority.

Fri, Jan 17, 7:13 PM (Palestine Time)

20 Killed in Gaza Airstrikes

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Medical sources in Gaza confirmed that 20 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across several areas of the Gaza Strip since the early hours of today.

Fri, Jan 17, 7:13 PM (Palestine Time)

Ben-Gvir: Concerns Over Exchange Deal

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed increased concerns after further details of the exchange deal were revealed, warning that it might escalate security risks, especially with prisoners being freed in Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Fri, Jan 17, 7:13 PM (Palestine Time)

Likud Bans Members from Media Interviews

ISRAELI MEDIA: Channel 12 reported that Israel’s Likud Party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has prohibited its members from giving media interviews following the approval of the exchange deal and ceasefire.

Fri, Jan 17, 7:09 PM (Palestine Time)

Gaza Health Ministry: 4 Massacres in 24 Hours

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: The Gaza Health Ministry reported that Israeli forces carried out 4 massacres in the Gaza Strip, resulting in 88 martyrs and 189 injuries over the past 24 hours.

Fri, Jan 17, 7:09 PM (Palestine Time)

Exchange Deal Highlights October 7 Failure

ISRAELI MEDIA: Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper stated that the cost of the exchange deal is heavy and reflects the failure of the October 7 events, acknowledging the deal’s unpopularity but emphasizing that Israel has no choice but to accept it.

Fri, Jan 17, 7:09 PM (Palestine Time)

Israeli Cabinet Adds West Bank ‘Security Goal’

KAN: Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that the Israeli cabinet added a new war objective following the exchange deal: enhancing security in the occupied West Bank.

Fri, Jan 17, 7:09 PM (Palestine Time)

2,000 Palestinian Prisoners to Be Released in First Phase

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli media confirmed that the first phase of the prisoner exchange includes the release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds serving life sentences.

Fri, Jan 17, 7:09 PM (Palestine Time)

Khalida Jarrar Included in First Exchange Phase

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli Army Radio reported that Khalida Jarrar, a leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, will be released in the first phase of the prisoner exchange.

Fri, Jan 17, 7:06 PM (Palestine Time)

Sister of Hamas Leader to Be Released

Israeli authorities’ release list from the first exchange deal included Dalia Khassib, the sister of Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri, who was arrested a year ago.

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