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SvennoJ on 17 January 2025
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‘Decision was not easy’: Israel’s culture minister to vote for ceasefire

In a post on X, Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar says he will vote “with a heavy heart … to bring our brothers and sisters home”.

“The decision was not easy, and I understand the concerns of our colleagues who oppose the deal,” Zohar said.

“After studying the details of the agreement, I became convinced that Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump upheld the fundamental principles critical to Israel’s security, and much remains hidden from view.”

He added: “Anyone who thinks this deal marks the end and that the final word has been spoken is mistaken. As the prime minister said, the government of Israel is committed to achieving the war’s objectives, including the dismantling of Hamas’s regime – no matter how long it takes.”

Yeah no doubt Israel put something in there the same way they're approaching the Lebanon 'ceasefire'...


Israel’s security cabinet approves ceasefire agreement

The security cabinet has voted to back the recently agreed truce with Hamas.

A statement by the Israeli prime minister’s office said the cabinet accepted the deal “after examining all political, security, and humanitarian aspects; and with the understanding that the proposed deal supports the achievement of the war’s goals”.

The cabinet also recommended that “the government approve the proposed outline”.

The deal will now move to the full cabinet for a discussion and vote.


Qatar hopes Gaza ‘tragedy will end’: Top diplomat

In an exclusive interview to Al Jazeera, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Qatari prime minister and foreign minister, expressed his hope that the ceasefire deal will be “fully implemented and that the tragedy will end”.

He stressed the need to mobilise international support for Gaza and establish mechanisms to support affected families.

He said that the last few days of negotiations were crucial and made a significant difference, noting that the joint work of the two US administrations (outgoing President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump) was decisive in reaching the agreement.

Here are the highlights of the interview:

  • We seek to fully implement the first phase, and for the second phase to be final.
  • We expect the Security Council to issue a binding resolution to implement the agreement.
  • A humanitarian protocol has been reached regarding the mechanism for delivering aid to prevent blackmail.
  • Qatar’s position as a mediator is clear that the administration of Gaza after the war is a Palestinian matter.
  • Our duty as Arab countries is to support Palestinian reconciliation towards ending the division.
  • Critics of Qatar have done nothing to stop the war except for shouting.
  • There have been cheap bids and blackmail against our role.
  • We do not respond to blackmail with statements, but with the work through
    which we reached the agreement.