IRGC urged Netanyahu to prepare for protests in the country after Hamas deal
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prepare for protests in the country following a deal with the Palestinian Hamas movement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This follows a statement by the IRGC published on January 16 in its Telegram channel.
"The end of the war and the ceasefire <...> will make the head of the fake government of executioners and bloodsuckers (Netanyahu. - Ed.) prepare for a wave of criticism, protests and internal division in Zionist (Israeli. - Ed.) society," the statement said.
In addition, the IRGC admitted the possible disruption of Israel's agreement with Hamas.
On January 15, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani announced the agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza between Hamas and Israel. The first phase, which will last 42 days, will include the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip under the agreement will take at least several weeks. On the same day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) press office noted that the Israeli army is preparing to receive the freed hostages.
US President-elect Donald Trump linked the agreement reached to his election victory. The politician added that his national security team will continue to work with Israel and allies "to make sure that Gaza never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists."
The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian Hamas movement launched a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel. On the same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes.