The Times of Israel is liveblogging Monday’s events as they unfold.
Palestinian crowd welcomes freed security prisoners with flags of Hamas, other terror groups
Hundreds of people cheer, chant and honk car horns as two buses carrying Palestinian security prisoners freed from an Israeli jail arrive in the West Bank town of Beitunia.
The buses hold some of the 90 prisoners released as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal that began Sunday and saw three Israeli hostages freed by the Hamas terror group after more than 15 months in captivity.
Members of the crowd climb atop the lead bus and unfurl a Hamas flag.
They are joined by others waving the flags of Fatah, Islamic Jihad and several other Palestinian factions, including terror groups, as well as the Palestinian flag and the flag of Lebanon’s Hezbollah terror group.
Inside the bus, a handful of freed female prisoners smile and flash V-signs while a Red Cross staff member watches on.
UN says over 630 trucks with humanitarian aid entered Gaza on Sunday
United Nations humanitarian officials say that more than 630 trucks of humanitarian aid have entered the Gaza Strip, in implementation of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
In a post on social media platform X, Tom Fletcher, the United Nations under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, says that over 630 trucks entered Gaza on Sunday, with at least 300 of them bringing humanitarian assistance into the north.
“There is no time to lose,” Fletcher writes. “After 15 months of relentless war, the humanitarian needs are staggering.”
Witkoff credits Trump for Mideast truce, says administration will ‘expand the circle of peace’
Fresh off successfully brokering a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas in Qatar, incoming US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff tells a Washington rally of Donald Trump supporters on the eve of the inauguration that the deal wouldn’t have been possible without the involvement of the US president-elect.
“I just received on my phone pictures of the first three hostages who were released,” Witkoff says, holding up his phone amid roars from the crowd.
“We had a great team, but it doesn’t happen without Donald J. Trump,” he asserts. “The president was responsible for this release, and we all owe him a debt of gratitude, as do all the families.”
“His leadership extends beyond our borders, influencing the world in ways that reflect the best of our ideals,” Witkoff continues, pointing to the Abraham Accords that were negotiated during Trump’s first term. “The accords are a testament to the president’s belief that peace is achievable when we approach challenges with strength, clarity and a shared vision for the future.”
“The Middle East is home to extraordinary potential, and through President Trump’s leadership, we are unlocking that potential in ways that benefit the region and the entire world,” Witkoff says.
“The Abraham Accords are not just agreements. They are a blueprint for a future where peace is not the exception, but is the expectation,” he asserts.
“As we look ahead, the challenges remain significant, but so do the opportunities. Under your leadership, Mr. President, we will continue to expand the circle of peace, strengthen partnerships and promote prosperity across the world,” Witkoff says.
Israel releases 90 Palestinian security prisoners in exchange for 3 hostages
Israel has released the first batch of 90 Palestinian security prisoners in exchange for the three hostages released from Gaza, the Israel Prisons Service says.
Palestinian reports say some have been taken to Ramallah and their East Jerusalem homes.
حافلات تنقل الدفعة الأولى من الأسيرات والأسرى المفرج عنهم ضمن صفقة التبادل تصل مدينة رام الله pic.twitter.com/cIt6uH1HxO
— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) January 19, 2025
مصادر محلية: وصول الأسـ.ـيرة المقدسية زينة بربر إلى منزل عائلتها بعد الإفراج عنها ضمن صفقة التبادل بين الاحتلال والمـ.ـقاومة pic.twitter.com/BMQfoJseQb
— المركز الفلسطيني للإعلام (@PalinfoAr) January 19, 2025
Ahead of the return of the Israeli hostages, the IPS bussed the first round of Palestinian prisoners to Ofer Prison in the West Bank, where Israeli security forces and Red Cross representatives verified each prisoner’s identity and performed medical checks on them before releasing them in coordination with security forces and the government.
The prisoners include 78 West Bank residents, released at the Beitunia Checkpoint near Ofer Prison.
The remaining 12 East Jerusalem residents were transported back to the city and released back to their homes from the Russian Compound detention center.
Those released today include 69 women — including one minor — eight male minors, and 12 men sentenced for relatively minor offenses like incitement, identifying with terrorism and disorderly conduct, according to Ynet.
A total of almost 2,000 inmates are planned to be released during the first phase of the ceasefire deal.
Trump says ‘epic’ Israel-Hamas deal a result of his win, mocks Biden administration
US President-elect Donald Trump hails the “epic ceasefire agreement” that went into place today, calling it “a first step toward lasting peace in the Middle East.”
“This agreement could only have happened as a result of our historic victory in November,” Trump reiterates at a Washington rally ahead of his inauguration tomorrow.
Trump threatened “all hell to pay” in the Mideast if the hostages weren’t returned by his inauguration. While the threat was publicly directed at Hamas, the president-elect’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly made clear during his January 11 meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that it was also meant for him as well, as he leaned on the premier to make the compromises necessary to secure an agreement.
“I’m glad to report that the first hostages have just been released… and who knows what’s going to happen,” Trump says before mocking US President Joe Biden for taking credit for the deal. Biden has highlighted that the agreement is the same framework that he unveiled last May, though his administration has acknowledged that the collaboration with the incoming Trump team was integral in bringing the deal over the finish line.
“Our incoming administration has achieved all of this in the Middle East, in less than three months, without being president — we’ve achieved more… than they’ve achieved in four years with being president,” Trump boasts.
He thanks Witkoff, who just got back from Qatar, for his efforts in securing the deal.
“A lot of guys are knowledgeable, but they can’t negotiate. They don’t have the personality or whatever, and Steve does. Steve’s a great negotiator — a very successful guy… It really couldn’t have been done without Steve,” Trump says to cheers from the crowd.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: "This week, we achieved an epic ceasefire agreement as a first step toward lasting PEACE in the Middle East — and this agreement could only have happened as a result of our historic victory in November." pic.twitter.com/4GDJmmD2AB
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 19, 2025
President-elect Trump on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage deal:
“Our incoming administration has achieved all of this in the Middle East, in less than three months, without being president. We’ve achieved more…than they’ve achieved in four years with being president.” pic.twitter.com/YOiof4QpUp
— Conservative War Machine (@WarMachineRR) January 19, 2025
Release of 90 Palestinian inmates delayed, as Israel reportedly blames Red Cross
The 90 Palestinian security prisoners set to be freed on the first day of the hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas have not yet been released to their homes, according to Hebrew media.
Ahead of the return of the three Israeli hostages, Israel’s Prison Service bussed the first round of Palestinian prisoners to Ofer Prison in the West Bank, where Israeli security forces and Red Cross representatives verified each prisoner’s identity and performed medical checks on them.
Now past midnight, the Ynet news site reports that the security officials blame the Red Cross for the hours-long delay, and accuse the organization’s staff of deliberately stalling the process with the purported motive of making Israel seem like it is not complying with the deal’s terms.
The prisoners include 78 West Bank residents, who will be released at the Beitunia Checkpoint near Ofer Prison.
The remaining 12 East Jerusalem residents have already been transported back to the city and are now being held by police in the Russian Compound detention center. Once the release commences, police will escort the former detainees back to their homes.
Those slated for release today include 69 women — including one minor — eight male minors, and 12 men sentenced for relatively minor offenses like incitement, identifying with terrorism and disorderly conduct, according to Ynet.
A total of almost 2,000 inmates are planned to be released during the first phase of the ceasefire deal.