US MEDIA: The White House announces that former President Donald Trump has lifted sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on settlers in the West Bank who were accused of committing violence against Palestinians.

Smotrich Threatens to ‘Bring Down’ Israeli Govt if Deal Proceeds to Second Phase

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Clashes renewed between resistance fighters and security forces of the Palestinian Authority around the Jenin refugee camp. Palestinian news sources reported that the Palestinian Authority security forces opened fire on Palestinian homes in the camp.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Palestinian news sources reported that settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles on the “Yitzhar” road, south of Nablus in the northern West Bank.

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli Broadcasting Authority (KAN):

Israeli officials were shocked when they saw hostages walking out in a crowd, surrounded by Hamas fighters in central Gaza.

Israeli officials will inform mediators that the scene of the hostages’ release in this manner is unacceptable.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that 21 Palestinians were injured due to beatings and gas inhalation during the settler attack on the villages of Al-Funduq and Jinsafut, east of Qalqilya.

STATEMENT: The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas):

The escalating settler terrorism in the West Bank requires the intensification of resistance in all forms.

The settler terrorism, supported by the extremist Zionist occupation government, is clear evidence of the terrorist nature of the occupation.

The rising settler terrorism confirms the urgent need for action in all West Bank provinces to launch a furious uprising.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Israeli occupation forces closed many checkpoints, gates, and bypass roads in the West Bank. Palestinian news sources reported that all cities in the West Bank were separated from each other, and thousands of Palestinians remain trapped on West Bank roads. The restrictions include:

Full closure of checkpoints, entrances, and exits of Ramallah.
Full closure of all entrances to Hebron.
Full closure of all entrances to Qalqilya.
Full closure of all entrances to Salfit and its villages.
Full closure of all entrances to Bethlehem.

Palestinian Child Killed in Israeli Raid, Soldiers Killed and Wounded in West Bank

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Palestinian news outlets reported that settlers attacked several villages and towns in the occupied West Bank. They include villages and towns in Qalqilya, Jit Junction near Tulkarm, villages near Nablus, areas near the Ramin Plain in Tulkarm district.

US MEDIA: Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff:

Trump’s policies have already achieved significant successes, such as the release of hostages in Gaza.

The Gaza ceasefire agreement is an achievement that shows the strength of President Trump’s leadership and the global respect he commands.

The Gaza deal is another example of Trump’s ability to deliver results in the most complex and challenging situations.

Trump’s leadership has redefined what is possible in the pursuit of progress and stability in the Middle East.

Real progress requires tough talks and bold decisions.

Two Palestinians Killed, Dozens Injured in Gaza on Second Day of Truce

CHANNEL 12: An Israeli policeman shot two settlers, mistaking them for Palestinians. The settlers, who were masked and armed, had reportedly fired shots near the village of Al-Funduq.

ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER – YISRAEL KATZ: Katz instructed the military to prevent celebrations marking the release of Palestinian prisoners in the West Bank and to target any armed individuals attending such events.

AXIOS: The Israeli ambassador to Washington credited Trump’s team for its involvement in Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Expected actions include lifting the freeze on 2,000-pound bombs for Israel, canceling sanctions on settlers, and taking steps against the ICC.

HARVARD-HARRIS POLL: 21% of US voters expressed support for Hamas. Additionally, 87% of Democrats and 81% of Republicans supported the Gaza ceasefire. Opinions on why Hamas agreed to the deal were split, with 57% attributing it to Trump and 43% to Biden.

ISRAELI ARMY: Reinforcements were sent to the village of Al-Funduq after reports of unrest in the area.

HAARETZ: Two Israelis sustained serious injuries near a site where settlers had previously attacked Palestinian property in the village of Al-Funduq.

West Bank 🚨

Israeli settlers, under the protection of occupation forces, have launched attacks on the villages of Al-Funduq and Jinsafut near Qalqilya.

The situation in Al-Funduq is catastrophic, with a large group of settlers storming the town, opening fire, and setting… https://t.co/4pGNpQUPmf pic.twitter.com/Ctkb3EfzkP

— Inés El-Hajj (@annepal99) January 20, 2025

JAMIL MAZHER – PFLP DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL: Israel failed to accomplish its objectives in Gaza. The aftermath will reflect Palestinian resilience, free from occupation plans.

AL JAZEERA SOURCES: Israeli authorities have imposed strict measures in the West Bank, installing iron gates and soil barriers at the entrances to numerous towns and cities.

Videos verified by Al Jazeera’s Sanad agency show Israeli forces detaining dozens of Palestinians during a raid on the town of Azzun, near Qalqilya in the occupied West Bank. The raid comes amid intensified Israeli military activity following the recent ceasefire and prisoner… pic.twitter.com/QxQWUQfV2E

— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) January 20, 2025

HAMAS STATEMENT: Hamas confirmed that the second phase of the prisoner exchange will take place as planned next Saturday.

GAZA CIVIL DEFENSE: The number of bodies recovered from under the rubble in Rafah has risen to 137 since the Gaza ceasefire began. Following Israel’s withdrawal from northern Gaza, bodies were found in the streets, with recovery efforts resuming after being forcibly halted in late October.

KAN: The three Israeli detainees released on Sunday spent 471 days in captivity, during which they learned Arabic. Al-Qassam Brigades reportedly moved them between various locations, including underground facilities, before relocating them to an apartment in Gaza City.

ANADOLU AGENCY: Israeli forces arrested over 60 Palestinians, including children and elderly people, during a raid in Azzun, east of Qalqilya, before withdrawing from the area.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA SOURCES: Israeli forces have closed dozens of checkpoints and iron gates at town and village entrances, tightening restrictions across all West Bank governorates.

PALESTINIAN INFORMATION CENTER: Israeli forces raided the home of freed prisoner Janin Amro in Dura, south of Hebron, a day after her release in a prisoner exchange deal. Her family was threatened against holding celebrations or posting on social media.

Israeli, PA Security Forces Raid Homes of Detainees ahead of Their Release

PALESTINIAN MEDIA SOURCES: Israeli forces began dismantling parts of the Netzarim Axis as part of their withdrawal under the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

الصحفي الإسرائيلي، “ماندي ريزل”: إزالة العلم من “نتساريم” تمهيداً لانسحاب قوات الجيش، ماذا حدث لنا، يا لعارنا. pic.twitter.com/PHCAH19Hze

— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) January 20, 2025

TURKISH PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN: Erdogan emphasized the need for full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Gaza, and international guarantees ensuring Israel fulfills its commitments.

HEZBOLLAH: We congratulate the great Palestinian people and their resistance on this significant victory, which crowns their heroic resilience.

AL-JAZEERA: Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli occupation forces in Rafah, southern Gaza.

HAMAS STATEMENT:

Over 471 days, the occupation’s crimes have failed to deter our people or resistance from holding on to their land and confronting aggression.

Images of Gaza’s widespread destruction expose the barbarity of this rogue regime.

International legal frameworks must be activated to prosecute Israeli leaders and military as war criminals.

HAMAS STATEMENT:

Over 471 days, the occupation’s crimes have failed to deter our people or resistance from holding on to their land and confronting aggression.

Images of Gaza’s widespread destruction expose the barbarity of this rogue regime.

International legal frameworks… pic.twitter.com/Avr8l8Ts2p

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) January 20, 2025

AL-JAZEERA: Two Palestinians were injured by Israeli occupation forces near Netzarim in central Gaza.

CHANNEL 12: IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi warned: “We must prepare for major operations in the West Bank in the coming days.”

LAPID: “The prisoner exchange deal must be fully implemented until every captive returns to their family. Our goal is rebuilding Israeli deterrence and economy, not returning to war—unlike the government’s stance.”

GAZA HEALTH MINISTRY: 47,035 Palestinians have been killed, and 111,091 wounded in Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza starting on October 7, 2023.

AL JAZEERA: Three children were injured by the explosion of an object left behind by the occupation forces in Rafah, southern Gaza.

AL-JAZEERA: Four Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire in central and southern Rafah, southern Gaza.

ISRAEL HAYOM: The mother of freed captive Emily Dimari stated that her daughter is in much better health than anticipated.

GAZA CIVIL DEFENSE:

99 personnel killed, 319 injured due to Israeli strikes.

27 members detained by Israeli forces with unknown fates.

More than 97,000 injured retrieved from strike locations.

2,842 bodies disintegrated entirely due to bombings.

Over 10,000 bodies still trapped under rubble.

Retrieving the bodies of the martyrs. Thousands and thousands under the rubble. Gaza. Ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/wkmeI2nXBG

— Nicola Perugini (@PeruginiNic) January 19, 2025

ISRAELI ARMY: An Israeli soldier was killed, and three others were seriously injured in Tubas, West Bank.

CHANNEL 12:

Members of the Israeli Knesset demanded an emergency session to initiate the second phase of the prisoner exchange agreement.

The announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza followed months of negotiations, including warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump to halt hostilities before his January 20, 2025, inauguration.

HAMAS STATEMENT:

We celebrate the release of our first group of captives from Israeli prisons.

The massive turnout to welcome freed captives reflects the public’s support for the resistance.

The stark contrast between the treatment of captives highlights the brutality of the occupation versus the values of the resistance.

We renew our commitment to achieving the full freedom of all captives and liberation of our land.

ISRAEL HAYOM: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed victory cannot be achieved under the current IDF Chief of Staff.

He stressed that eliminating Hamas takes precedence over retrieving captives. He also warned he would bring down the government if the army doesn’t resume control of Gaza.

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS: Humanitarian aid that saves lives must urgently be delivered to meet needs in Gaza.

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement stipulates the entry of 600 trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza daily and reopening the Rafah Border Crossing 7 days after the agreement takes effect.

The entry of aid through Rafah has been disrupted since May 2024, when Israel occupied the Palestinian side. Aid has since been redirected through the Kerem Shalom crossing, under Israeli control.

IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: The events in Gaza are a loss and disgrace for the Zionist entity and its supporters, exposing their false claims about human rights.

IRANIAN PRESIDENT: The Palestinian people stood with strength and dignity against the Zionist entity, achieving this great victory.

Iran’s Quds Force Commander Declares Gaza Ceasefire a Historic Defeat for Israel

UNRWA COMMISSIONER-GENERAL PHILIPPE LAZZARINI: The ceasefire in Gaza must hold, and all agreement provisions must be implemented.
We will spare no effort to alleviate immense suffering and boost humanitarian aid delivery.

HOSTAGE CAPTIVES’ FORUM:

We will work tirelessly to ensure no one obstructs the agreement’s implementation and the return of all captives.

Extremists must not derail the agreement—it is in our hands. The public wants the war to end and the captives returned. We call for protests outside the Defense Ministry.

HEALTH CHIEF OF CAPTIVES’ FAMILIES’ COMMITTEE: The three Israeli captives do not require urgent medical attention.

The captives—Rumi Joonin (24), Emily Damari (28), and Doron Shetenber Khair (31)—were handed over by Hamas’ military wing to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza’s Saraya Square before being transferred to the Israeli military.

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS: The release of three detainees from Gaza and 90 Palestinian detainees from Israel was a complex process, requiring strict security measures to minimize risks.

Our teams are ready to continue implementing the agreement to reunite more families.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: The ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages and detainees offer hope to millions whose lives were devastated.

Restoring Gaza’s health system is an immense challenge requiring billions in investments. This will need unwavering support from donors and the global community.

https://twitter.com/WHOoPt/status/1881012050765230126

EU COMMISSIONER FOR EQUALITY AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT: Humanitarian aid began arriving in Gaza today. Access must remain unrestricted to alleviate suffering.

WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME: We are striving to reach one million people in Gaza as quickly as possible after the crossings reopened under the ceasefire agreement.

Our teams are delivering flour and ready-made meals, replenishing bakeries, and providing nutrition supplements for the most malnourished children.

World food program food trucks enter #Gaza from Erez crossing. They’ve been withheld & limited for months by #Israel
Also approximately 50,000 tents #GazaGenocide#GazaCeasefire pic.twitter.com/mdSGewyIok

— ali hadi (@alihadi68) January 19, 2025

WALL STREET JOURNAL:

Hamas has lost thousands of fighters and many leaders but has recruited many more.

Despite potential exclusion from future local governance, Hamas’ deep roots in Gaza and the ceasefire agreement may solidify its position.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: The freed Palestinian female prisoners from Jerusalem have started arriving at their homes in East Jerusalem, amid a heavy presence of Israeli occupation military forces. Celebratory scenes have been noticeably absent due to the heightened Israeli security measures.

ابتسامة حرائر فلسطين ، وهم في طريقهم الى بيوتهم بعد تحريرهم من سجون الاحتلال الصهيوني pic.twitter.com/gYXMgkbiw0

— #القدس_ينتفض 🇵🇸 (@MyPalestine0) January 20, 2025