Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas on Thursday of reneging on a ceasefire agreement designed to secure the release of hostages and end over a year of conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu’s office stated that the Cabinet would postpone a vote on the agreement until Hamas rescinds its actions, described as a “last-minute crisis.”
Netanyahu’s office alleged that Hamas attempted to alter the agreement to gain additional concessions, though specifics were not provided.
The Israeli Cabinet was scheduled to approve the deal on Thursday.
President Biden, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, held a Wednesday press conference announcing a three-phase implementation plan for the agreement.
Biden explained that the initial six-week phase encompasses a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated Gaza areas, and the release of hostages, including women, the elderly, and the wounded. He emphasized American involvement in the hostage release and expressed eagerness to welcome them home.
In return, Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, according to Biden, and Palestinians would be allowed to return to their homes, with a substantial increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, affirmed the group’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement as announced by mediators.
Netanyahu’s office previously accused Hamas of violating a prior understanding that would grant Israel veto power over the release of prisoners convicted of murder in exchange for hostages.
The ceasefire agreement stipulates the release of 33 hostages over six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Israeli forces would withdraw from numerous areas, enabling hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to their homes, along with a surge in humanitarian aid.
The remaining hostages, including male soldiers, are to be released in a subsequent phase negotiated during the first. Hamas has conditioned the release of remaining captives on a lasting ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal, while Israel has pledged to continue fighting until Hamas is dismantled and to retain open-ended security control over the territory.
Netanyahu faced significant domestic pressure to secure the hostages’ release, but his far-right coalition partners threatened to topple his government if he made excessive concessions. While he possesses sufficient opposition support to approve the agreement, doing so could weaken his coalition and increase the likelihood of early elections.
Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza reported intense Israeli bombardment overnight amidst ceasefire celebrations. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported at least 48 deaths from Israeli strikes between Wednesday midday and Thursday morning. Zaher al-Wahedi, head of the ministry’s registration department, told The Associated Press that approximately half the deceased were women and children, with the death toll potentially rising as hospitals update their records.
Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. are scheduled to meet in Cairo on Thursday to discuss implementing the agreement. They engaged in indirect talks with Israel and Hamas for a year, finally reaching a deal after repeated setbacks.
President-elect Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy participated in the final weeks of negotiations, with both the outgoing administration and Trump’s team claiming credit for the breakthrough.
Israel’s offensive has resulted in over 46,000 deaths in Gaza, primarily women and children, according to the Health Ministry, without specifying the number of militants among the casualties. Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 fighters, but without providing supporting evidence.
The war has devastated large areas of Gaza, displacing roughly 90% of its 2.3 million population, according to the United Nations.
Digital’s Efrat Lachter and