Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that a "last-minute crisis" with Hamas is delaying Israeli approval of a proposed Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement. Israeli airstrikes, meanwhile, killed at least 72 people in the Gaza Strip, reports AP.
Netanyahu's remarks came shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden and key mediator Qatar announced the deal as finalised, creating conflicting signals: while Palestinians, hostages' families, and global leaders welcomed the agreement, Netanyahu indicated it was not yet resolved.
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The Israeli Cabinet was set to vote on the deal Thursday but delayed the meeting, with Netanyahu's office accusing Hamas of reneging on certain parts of the agreement without specifying details. Hamas, through senior official Izzat al-Rishq, insisted it remains committed to the ceasefire agreement announced by mediators.
The deal proposes a phased release of hostages held in Gaza and a temporary halt to fighting, aiming to eventually end a 15-month conflict. The war began with Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 250 hostages being taken. Israel’s response has led to over 46,000 deaths in Gaza, according to local officials, with widespread displacement and humanitarian crises.
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Netanyahu faces intense internal pressure from his far-right coalition partners, who have threatened his government over perceived concessions. Ministers like Itamar Ben Gvir oppose the deal, while Bezalel Smotrich demanded assurances of resumed military operations if necessary. These tensions risk destabilising the government and could lead to early elections.
Heavy Israeli strikes continued overnight, reportedly killing dozens despite the ceasefire announcement. The agreement envisions a staged withdrawal of Israeli forces, allowing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes and facilitating increased humanitarian aid. Future phases of the deal involve further hostage releases and negotiations for a lasting truce, though these remain fraught with challenges.
Israeli strikes kill 18 in Gaza, including women and children
The ceasefire raises unresolved questions about Gaza’s governance and reconstruction post-conflict, with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. meeting in Cairo to discuss implementation. International criticism of civilian casualties in Gaza persists, as Israel blames Hamas for using civilian infrastructure for military purposes.
Despite Hamas suffering significant losses in leadership and territory, the potential for prolonged insurgency looms if the conflict continues.