January 16th, 2025: Israel, Hamas Reach Ceasefire Deal In Gaza & Biden's Parting Gift To Cuba Angers Democrats
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What is the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas?
Hey, Mike Baker here. Still overseas on a trek through the vast desert, and it is vast. Five riders, ten camels, 700 miles, it's been an amazing experience, all to raise awareness for the UK's Special Forces Benevolent Fund. While I'm out, Mike Slater is stepping in to deliver the President's Daily Brief.
Thanks, Mike. It's Thursday, 16 January 2025. Welcome to the President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Slater filling in for Mike Baker. Let's get briefed. Today, we begin in the Middle East, where after 15 months of war and countless failed negotiations, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal that will pause fighting in Gaza and see the phased release of the hostages still being held in the battered enclave. Later in the show, an update on the Putin regime's shadow war against the West as Poland's prime minister accuses Russia of planning terror attacks targeting global airlines. Plus, outgoing President Joe Biden stuns both Republicans and Democrats by lifting Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
And in today's Back of the Brief, we'll have an update on the devastating wildfires burning around Los Angeles as powerful winds returned Wednesday, jeopardizing efforts to contain the blazes. But first, today's PDB Spotlight. A diplomatic breakthrough from the Middle East emerged on Wednesday as a ceasefire agreement to end the 15-month war between Israel and Hamas was finally achieved, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and of course the United States. Qatar's Prime Minister heralded the accord, describing the hard-won agreement as a pivotal first step towards peace. However, the first phase of the ceasefire must still clear procedural hurdles. According to The Hill, Israel's wartime cabinet will vote on the agreement, followed by Israel's parliamentary body, with appeals to the Supreme Court permitted within 24 hours. If finalized, the ceasefire could start as early as Friday, with the first group of hostages released on Sunday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office expressed optimism, signaling that although there are still some outstanding details in the framework, they're resolvable. In the initial six weeks of the three-phase agreement, Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages, prioritizing women, children, the elderly, and the ill. The hostages will be released incrementally, starting with three on the first day, followed by weekly releases until all 33 are freed. Israel believes the majority of these hostages are alive. President Joe Biden confirmed that American hostages would be among some of the first released during the initial six weeks. However, questions remain over which of the seven known hostages, three presumed alive, will be included. Hamas is also required to provide updates on the hostages' status within the first week. According to NBC News, in exchange, Israel will release over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners not implicated in the 7 October 2023 attacks. Also, I just want to be clear about that.
33 Israelis for over a thousand Palestinians. Also under the first phase, Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from population centers. They will, however, remain in the Gaza-Egypt border, known as the Philadelphia corridor, and maintain a buffer zone inside Gaza. The dimensions of the buffer zone have yet to be determined. Humanitarian aid will flow into Gaza through the Rafah Crossing, coordinated by Egypt, with hundreds of trucks expected to deliver relief daily to the 2.3 million residents, 90% of whom are displaced. The United Nations pledged to scale up aid delivery during this period.
What are the details of the hostage release in the ceasefire?
In remarks from the White House, Biden credited coordination with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, commending their shared commitment to the deal's success. Trump, who in previous weeks had an unofficial deadline tied to his 20 January inauguration, praised the agreement on truth social, stating, quote, With this deal in place, my new national security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our allies to make sure Gaza never again becomes a terrorist safe haven.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What is the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas?
0:00–3:40
2
What are the details of the hostage release in the ceasefire?
3:40–11:54
3
What accusations are being made against Russia by Poland's Prime Minister?
11:54
4
What are the implications of Biden lifting Cuba's terrorism designation?
0:00–8:29
5
How is the international community responding to the ceasefire?
8:29–18:42
Speakers
1 identifiedMore from The President's Daily Brief
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