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 sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”