Netanyahu says ‘last-minute crisis’ with Hamas holding up approval of Gaza truce and hostage deal as terror group posts shocking ‘pride’ video

By Isabel Keane and Caitlin Doornbos Published Jan. 16, 2025 (I wrote here yesterday, that Bibi would try to delay it.)

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday that the long-awaited cease-fire deal is on hold because of a “last-minute crisis” — as Israel shared a new video of Hamas boasting of its “pride” at the Oct. 7 terror attack and threats of ongoing violence.

Netanyahu delayed his cabinet voting Thursday on approving the historic deal, accusing Hamas of “a last-minute blackmail attempt.”

“Israel will not set a date for a cabinet and government meeting until the mediators announce that Hamas has approved all the details of the agreement,” his office said. In part, that included the terror group objecting to a part of the agreement that gave Israel the right to refuse the release of certain Palestinian prisoners accused of murders.

“Hamas is demanding that it determine the identity of the terrorists to be released,”Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, vowing to stand firm on the earlier agreement.

Izzat al-Rashq, a senior Hamas official, denied it, saying the terror group remained “committed” to the long-awaited agreementannounced Wednesday. However, Israel shared a video early Thursday of Hamas leader Khalil al-Haya seemingly responding to the deal by expressing ongoing commitment to the violence that led to the Oct. 7 slaughter.

“What occurred on October 7 — a miraculous military and security achievement by the elite Qassam Brigades — will remain a source of pride for our people,” al-Haya said in the speech, according to a translated video shared by Israeli diplomat David Saranga.

“It struck the heart of the enemy and will lead, Allah willing, to the restoration of all our rights,” he said — accusing Israel of “genocidal wars, Nazi crimes, and acts of inhumanity,” according to the translation.

“We will never forget or forgive those who participated in this genocide … Justice will be served to these criminals, even if delayed,” he was quoted as saying.

“Our enemy will see no moment of weakness or surrender from us.”

While Thursday’s cabinet vote is delayed, mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the US are expected to meet in Cairo Thursday for additional debate on the deal, which has been in indirect talks for about a year.

In the last day, at least 48 people were killed in the Gaza Strip by Israeli strikes, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. However, during previous conflicts, both sides ramped up military operations in the days leading up to cease-fires to project strength.

Ongoing talks this week led to reports that Hamas accepted a draft agreement of a cease-fire deal that would soon see the release of an initial group of 33 hostages.

The deal, which requires approval from Israel’s cabinet and government, would go into effect Sunday if implemented — just a day before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

The plan outlines a six-week initial cease-fire with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed over the past 15 months.The deal would also bring a surge of humanitarian aid to help the population living within the battered Gaza Strip.

Qatar, a key mediator in the talks, said Israel and Hamas were at the “closest point” yet to compromising.

The plan, a three-phase agreement set out by the US and endorsed by the UN Security Council, would swap 33 hostages over six weeks for potentially hundreds of imprisoned Palestinian women and children. Details of the second phase will likely be negotiated during the first phase. While the deal does not include a written guarantee that the cease-fire will continue into the second phase, three mediators have given Hamas verbal guarantees that negotiations will continue as planned until a deal is met.

During the second phase, Hamas would release the remaining living captives, mainly male soldiers, in exchange for more prisoners and the “complete withdrawal” of Israeli forces from Gaza. Meanwhile, the third phase would see the return of the bodies of the remaining hostages in exchange for a three- to five-year plan to rebuild Gaza.

Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20 has long been seen as a deadline, with the president-elect warning Hamas there would be “hell to pay” if the hostages are not released.

Hamas is still holding about 100 hostages, including seven Americans, in Gaza following the group’s 2023 attack on Israel. Up to half of them may be dead, according to officials.

https://nypost.com/2025/01/16/world-news/israel-netanyahu-says-hamas-last-minute-crisis-preventing-cabinet-from-agreeing-to-gaza-strip-ceasefire/

Netanyahu says ‘last-minute crisis’ with Hamas holding up approval of Gaza truce and hostage deal as terror group posts shocking ‘pride’ video

By Isabel Keane and Caitlin Doornbos Published Jan. 16, 2025 (I wrote here yesterday, that Bibi would try to delay it.)

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday that the long-awaited cease-fire deal is on hold because of a “last-minute crisis” — as Israel shared a new video of Hamas boasting of its “pride” at the Oct. 7 terror attack and threats of ongoing violence.

Netanyahu delayed his cabinet voting Thursday on approving the historic deal, accusing Hamas of “a last-minute blackmail attempt.”

“Israel will not set a date for a cabinet and government meeting until the mediators announce that Hamas has approved all the details of the agreement,” his office said. In part, that included the terror group objecting to a part of the agreement that gave Israel the right to refuse the release of certain Palestinian prisoners accused of murders.

“Hamas is demanding that it determine the identity of the terrorists to be released,”Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, vowing to stand firm on the earlier agreement.

Izzat al-Rashq, a senior Hamas official, denied it, saying the terror group remained “committed” to the long-awaited agreementannounced Wednesday. However, Israel shared a video early Thursday of Hamas leader Khalil al-Haya seemingly responding to the deal by expressing ongoing commitment to the violence that led to the Oct. 7 slaughter.

“What occurred on October 7 — a miraculous military and security achievement by the elite Qassam Brigades — will remain a source of pride for our people,” al-Haya said in the speech, according to a translated video shared by Israeli diplomat David Saranga.

“It struck the heart of the enemy and will lead, Allah willing, to the restoration of all our rights,” he said — accusing Israel of “genocidal wars, Nazi crimes, and acts of inhumanity,” according to the translation.

“We will never forget or forgive those who participated in this genocide … Justice will be served to these criminals, even if delayed,” he was quoted as saying.

“Our enemy will see no moment of weakness or surrender from us.”

While Thursday’s cabinet vote is delayed, mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the US are expected to meet in Cairo Thursday for additional debate on the deal, which has been in indirect talks for about a year.

In the last day, at least 48 people were killed in the Gaza Strip by Israeli strikes, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. However, during previous conflicts, both sides ramped up military operations in the days leading up to cease-fires to project strength.

Ongoing talks this week led to reports that Hamas accepted a draft agreement of a cease-fire deal that would soon see the release of an initial group of 33 hostages.

The deal, which requires approval from Israel’s cabinet and government, would go into effect Sunday if implemented — just a day before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

The plan outlines a six-week initial cease-fire with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed over the past 15 months.The deal would also bring a surge of humanitarian aid to help the population living within the battered Gaza Strip.

Qatar, a key mediator in the talks, said Israel and Hamas were at the “closest point” yet to compromising.

The plan, a three-phase agreement set out by the US and endorsed by the UN Security Council, would swap 33 hostages over six weeks for potentially hundreds of imprisoned Palestinian women and children. Details of the second phase will likely be negotiated during the first phase. While the deal does not include a written guarantee that the cease-fire will continue into the second phase, three mediators have given Hamas verbal guarantees that negotiations will continue as planned until a deal is met.

During the second phase, Hamas would release the remaining living captives, mainly male soldiers, in exchange for more prisoners and the “complete withdrawal” of Israeli forces from Gaza. Meanwhile, the third phase would see the return of the bodies of the remaining hostages in exchange for a three- to five-year plan to rebuild Gaza.

Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20 has long been seen as a deadline, with the president-elect warning Hamas there would be “hell to pay” if the hostages are not released.

Hamas is still holding about 100 hostages, including seven Americans, in Gaza following the group’s 2023 attack on Israel. Up to half of them may be dead, according to officials.

https://nypost.com/2025/01/16/world-news/israel-netanyahu-says-hamas-last-minute-crisis-preventing-cabinet-from-agreeing-to-gaza-strip-ceasefire/

Hamas agreed to cease-fire because any deal would be worse under Trump, incoming WH national security adviser says

By Victor Nava Published Jan. 15, 2025, 8:00 p.m. ET1/2

The breakthrough hostages-for-a-cease-fire deal between Hamas and Israel was struck Wednesday because the terror group understood that the terms of any agreement under President-elect Donald Trump would be far worse, according to his incoming White House national security adviser.

“Clearly, the entire world recognizes that this was the Trump effect,” Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), who will serve as Trump’s principal adviser on all national security issues, told Fox News “Special Report” host Bret Baier.

Waltz argued that Hamas “had no choice” but to accept the deal, which will lay the path to freeing 33 hostages over the next 42 days in exchange for Israel releasing 1,000 Palestinians imprisoned in jails and pushing troops out of some parts of northern Gaza.

Mike Waltz, who will serve as Trump’s White House national security adviser,credited the president-elect with instilling so much fear in Hamas that they accepted Wednesday’s hostage-cease-firedeal.FOX News

“They believed President Trump when he said there would be all hell to payand any deal that was on the table would only get worse once he was in office,” the incoming White House national security adviser said of the terror group responsible for the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on the Jewish State.

“I mean, this is President Trump – who took out [Iranian Gen. Qasem] Soleimani, who took out [Islamic State boss Abu Bakr] al-Baghdadi – I think all these terrorist organizations understand now, the type of man and the type of leader that they’re dealing with,” Waltz said.

Waltz noted that he understands the concerns about the Palestinians being released as part of the dealbut “at the end of the day, those hostages have been down there in those tunnels getting raped, abused, in horrific conditions.”

“They had been there longer than the 1979 hostages, and in much more horrific conditions,” he added, referring to the 53 Americans who were held hostage by Iran near the end of Jimmy Carter’s presidency.

Here’s how the proposed three phases would work out, according to a current draft obtained by news outlets:<br>

__P__hase 1

• The first phase will halt fighting for 42 days with 33 Israeli hostages incrementally freed from captivity in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

• There are 97 hostages – civilians and soldiers – in captivity, but only 60 are thought to be alive.

• On the first day of cease-fire, now set for Sunday, Hamas will release three hostages, then another four on the seventh day. After that, there will be weekly releases during the initial six-week period.

• Israel will let 30 Palestinian women, children and elderly imprisoned go in exchange for every civilian hostage freed from Gaza. For every female Israeli soldier released, the Jewish state will deliver 50 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 facing life sentences.

• For bodies returned to Israel, all Palestinian women and children detained from Gaza by Israel since the war started on Oct. 7, 2023 will be released. Meanwhile, Israeli forces will pull back into a buffer zone in Gaza and near the Israeli border that will allow displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza City and northern Gaza.

• About 600 trucks of humanitarian aid will flow in Gaza daily during the cease-fire, including 50 of them carrying fuel.

• Negotiations over second phase of the agreement will start on the 16th day of the first phase.

https://nypost.com/2025/01/15/us-news/hamas-agreed-to-cease-fire-because-any-deal-would-be-worse-under-trump-incoming-wh-national-security-adviser-says/

>>22364652

2/2

Phase 2

• If Israel and Hamas reach a further agreement, all remaining hostages are supposed to be freed and in return Israel will completely withdraw from Gaza during this phase.

• Reaching that next step could prove difficult, because Israel has said it won’t relent to a total withdrawal until the terror organization’s military and political power is wiped out.

• Hamas has said it won’t release the last hostages until all Israeli troops leave. Hamas needs to agree to remove itself from power — something it has hinted it is willing to do — but could still be a factor in a future government, which Israel does not want.

• While the draft agreement states a second phase deal must be reached by the end of phase one, Hamas had called for written guarantees that the temporary peace could continue until an agreement is struck. The terror group has said though it will abide by a verbal assurances from the United States, Egypt and Qatar. But Israel has not agreed to that and airstrikes could potentially start again.

Phase 3

• The third – and final phase — would entail Hamas trading the bodies of the rest of the remaining hostages in Gaza in return for a 3- to 5-year rebuilding plan in the decimated Palestinian territory under international supervision.

“I’m convinced they all would have died if President Trump hadn’t come in and said, ‘Get them out,’” Waltz said of the Hamas-held hostages, who have been in captivity for the last 15 months.

Waltz called the landmark agreement “a Reagan moment” for Trump, because Hamas “understood the consequences if they didn’t get this done.”

The Iranian hostages were released on Jan. 20, 1981, the day former President Ronald Reagan replaced Carter in the White House.

Waltz indicated that Trump,78, will have no reservations about supporting Israel if it ends up needing to “go back in” to Gaza and conduct more operations against Hamas.

“We’ve made it very clear to the Israelis, and I want the people of Israel to hear me on this – If they need to go back in, we’re with them,” the Florida Republican said.

“If Hamas doesn’t live up to the terms of this agreement, we are with them,” he added.

On the future of the terror group, Waltz was adamant thatHamas is “not going to continue as a military entity” and will have no role in governing Gaza should peace last in the region.

“I think by the end of President Trump’s term,we’re going to be talking about rail and fiber and data centers and moving the region forward. In a way that only President Trump could transform,” he added, referring to what the broader Middle Eastern region will look like under Trump.

https://nypost.com/2025/01/15/us-news/hamas-agreed-to-cease-fire-because-any-deal-would-be-worse-under-trump-incoming-wh-national-security-adviser-says/

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announces Ashley Moody will replace Marco Rubio in Senate

By Diana Glebova Published Jan. 16, 2025, 10:40 a.m. ET

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that stateAttorney General Ashley Moody will be taking Marco Rubio’splace as the Sunshine State’s junior senator. DeSantis announced his pick at a news conference in Orlando days before Rubio is set to resign to become President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of state.

The governor said that hewanted to choose a senator who will back Trump’s hard-line immigration agenda and “cut spending.”

“Talk is cheap. We need people that have demonstrated fidelity to these principles with their actions,” DeSantis said of Moody, who has been Florida’s top law enforcement officer since 2019 and is a fifth-generation resident of the state.

“I’m happy to say we’ve had an attorney general who has been somebody that has acted time and time again to support the values that we all share,” he added, “whether that’s illegal immigration, [the] opioid and fentanyl crisis, human trafficking. She has stood strong time and time again, most recently in this past year, filing lawsuits and joining lawsuits to take on the weaponization of law enforcement that targeted then-candidate Donald Trump.”

The governor noted that Moody led the investigation into the second Trump assassination attempt, fought former special counsel Jack Smith over his prosecution of the incoming president and challenged President Biden’s lax border policies.

DeSantis added Wednesday that he didn’t make the announcement sooner because he didn’t want the media to make his choice a “pinata” and attack them for months before Rubio is sworn in.Moody will have to go through a special election in November of 2026 to complete the remainder of Rubio’s term. If she chooses, she will then be up for election to a full six-year term in 2028.

In separate remarks, Moody vowed to “fight for President Trump to deliver the America First agenda on day one,” fighting to shrink federal agencies and even cut funding from the United Nations.

Rubio is likely to be confirmed as President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of state on Monday.

DeSantis met with Trump several times in recent weeks, going golfing with him and meeting with him at a governor’s dinner at Mar-a-Lago. The two have been repairing rifts in their relationship following the 2024 GOP primaries, and have been warm with each other in recent months.

Trump daughter-in-law and former Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump had been widely tipped as the favorite for the position after Rubio was nominated as America’s top diplomat. However, the Trump daughter withdrew her name from consideration for the seat last month.

https://nypost.com/2025/01/16/us-news/ron-desantis-announces-ashley-moody-will-replace-marco-rubio-in-senate/

Melania Trump takes vicious jab at Obamas, claiming they ‘withheld’ information during transition in Donald’s first presidency

Freaking liars smearing Melania

By Isabel Keane Published Jan. 16, 2025, 11:30 a.m. ET

(You can always identify the Trump Hating writers at the NYP because they always announce his age “78” and Now Melania age “54”. You never see ages mentioned on Divine and others. How are her comments “vicious’If the writers had read her Best Selling book, Melania included this info in her #1 selling book)

Melania Trump has accused the Obamas of trying to hijack her husband Donald Trump’s first term in the White House.

The incoming first lady made a”savage dig”while saying she feels more confident of her husband’s fast-approaching second term now Obama is not there to make things difficult.

Melania Trump, 54, sat down with “Fox & Friends” to promote her upcoming documentary set to be released on Amazon Prime later this year.

“The first time was challenging, we didn’t have much of the information,” the incoming first lady told “Fox & Friends” of when her husband was first sworn into office in 2017.

“The information was withheld from us by the previous administration,” she said of Obama.

Despite the tension caused by the apparent lack of communication between the administrations, the 54-year-old said she now understands “the rules” and “process” of being in the White House.

“But this time I have everything… it’s a very different transition this time, second time around,” she continued.

Melania’s remarks come as it was revealed that former first lady Michelle Obama will not be in attendance at Trump’s second inauguration this coming Monday after skipping former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral. (She and all could care less of Michelle is there, that’s a pretty iffy connection to Melania’s comment. Plus I heard what she said and Melania didn’t sound vicious or savage at all.)

While the former first lady’s team did not provide a reason for skipping the inauguration, Michelle Obama has been an impassioned critic of Trump, over the past eight years.

https://nypost.com/2025/01/16/us-news/melania-trump-says-obamas-withheld-information-during-transition/