At least 77 Palestinians are reported dead in intense bombardment since the ceasefire deal was announced. In Israel, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to quit over the terms of the second phase of the agreement, a move that could threaten the Netanyahu government with collapse. The Biden administration "fully expects" the hostage deal to be implemented Sunday, while Hamas said it is "committed to the truce." Amidst all the maneuvering, Israeli hostage families desperately await the return of loved ones. The agreement, closely resembling one proposed by President Biden in May, marks a last-minute achievement for the outgoing administration, helped by the incoming Trump team. Last night Biden bid farewell to the presidency in a final speech to the nation. There is intense criticism of his administration's handling of the Gaza war. Today Secretary of State Antony Blinken was heckled in valedictory remarks at the State Department. Just as the ceasefire deal was being finalized, Christiane sat down with Secretary Blinken in Washington.

Originally aired on January 16, 2025

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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.

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