Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the first stage of the hostage release agreement a " He also emphasized that this is what President-elect Donald Trump also said in his first public comments regarding the agreement, which is set to take effect on January 19. This is stated in a video statement published on January 18, 2025, writes Times Of Israel. Netanyahu notes that both Donald Trump and US President Joe Biden have stressed that Israel could return to fighting in Gaza if the next stages of the agreement are not implemented. "

The Prime Minister also added that the US has promised that Israel will have the necessary weapons to return to hostilities if necessary, and will do so “in new ways and with very great force.”.

It's worth noting that in describing the hostage ceasefire for the first time, he says that "

" Most of them are alive,"

At this stage, he makes no mention of further potential stages of an agreement that would see the remaining 65 hostages released and a permanent ceasefire established in Gaza.

Netanyahu notes that the agreement is the result of Israel resisting pressure from outside and inside, as well as cooperation with the ongoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration.

" He spoke to me on Wednesday evening and welcomed the agreement,"

Ahead of the next stages of the agreement, Netanyahu says, "

“Both President Trump and President Biden fully supported Israel's right to return to hostilities if Israel concludes that phase two negotiations are going nowhere. “I really appreciate it,” Netanyahu concluded..

Earlier it was reported that the Israeli government approved an agreement with Hamas terrorists on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages. Previously, the Israeli Military-Political Cabinet reviewed, approved and sent the said agreement to the government, stating that it “contributes to achieving the goals of the war.”.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres almost immediately welcomed the agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages and said that the UN is ready to support the implementation of this agreement.

But already on January 16, the Israeli Prime Minister said that Hamas had disrupted the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government noted in this regard that the refusal of Palestinian terrorists to part of the proposed agreements “creates a crisis,” and agreements on the release of hostages were in jeopardy.