On Eve of Prisoner Exchange: Netanyahu Holds Firm on War Objectives
Netanyahu's emphasis on Biden and Trump's support for Israel's right to return to fighting indicates his pursuit of American political cover for continued operations
January 18, 2025, 11:06 pm

On Eve of Prisoner Exchange: Netanyahu Holds Firm on War Objectives

القصف الإسرائيلي على قطاع غزة (العربية)

Both parties are preparing to implement the prisoner exchange agreement tomorrow, Sunday, amid Israeli assurances of not backing down from war objectives in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized in his statements that returning hostages is a "sacred mission," pointing to U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump's support for Israel's right to resume fighting.

Netanyahu explained that his government seeks to return the maximum number of living prisoners in the first phase, confirming that the agreement ensures control over the Philadelphia Corridor and the buffer zone.

The Israeli Prime Minister affirmed his country's determination to prevent Hamas from bringing weapons into Gaza, noting an increase in forces in the West Bank and tightening control over all crossings.

Netanyahu spoke of "tremendous achievements" made by Israel in the war, referring to operations against Hezbollah, the Houthis, and inside Iran.

The agreement's first phase stipulates exchanging 33 hostages held in Gaza for 737 Palestinian detainees, with the first exchange operations beginning tomorrow, Sunday, releasing three Israeli women in exchange for 95 Palestinians.

Netanyahu confirmed that Israel will not tolerate any violation of the agreement terms, requiring receipt of a list of hostages to be released before starting the exchange process.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.