|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has postponed a critical cabinet vote on the Gaza ceasefire agreement originally scheduled for Thursday. He accused Hamas of making last-minute changes to the deal.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed confidence that the ceasefire would commence as planned on Sunday, describing the delay as part of addressing a “loose end” in the negotiations.
While Israeli negotiators had approved the deal after months of discussions, its implementation awaits approval from the security cabinet and government.
Hamas stated its commitment to the agreement but reportedly sought to include additional members on the list of Palestinian prisoners to be released.
The postponement followed Israeli airstrikes in Gaza after Wednesday’s announcement of the deal, which the Hamas-run health ministry reported had killed over 80 people.
Hours before Thursday’s cabinet meeting, Netanyahu accused Hamas of “extorting last-minute concessions.” His office stated the cabinet would not convene until Hamas accepted all terms of the agreement.
Blinken acknowledged the complexities of the situation but assured that the ceasefire would still take effect on Sunday.
Israeli Cabinet Divisions Over Ceasefire Deal
Israeli media reported that the cabinet might meet on Friday to finalize the agreement, with a majority expected to support it. However, Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to withdraw his right-wing party from Netanyahu’s government if the deal proceeds.
Ben-Gvir criticized the agreement, calling it “reckless” and claiming it undermined the war’s gains. He urged other right-wing leaders, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, to join his stance.
Meanwhile, a senior Hamas official reiterated the group’s commitment to the deal, informing mediators Qatar and Egypt of their approval of all terms. However, BBC reports indicate Hamas may be pushing to include symbolic members in the prisoner exchange list.
Key Provisions of the Ceasefire Agreement
The initial six-week phase includes the exchange of 33 hostages – comprising women, children, and the elderly – for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Israeli forces would withdraw from densely populated Gaza areas, allowing displaced Palestinians to begin returning home.
Aid trucks would gain daily access to Gaza, addressing severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter for the displaced population.
Negotiations for the next phases will aim to release remaining hostages, achieve a full troop withdrawal, and establish sustainable calm. A final stage would focus on recovering bodies of hostages and reconstructing Gaza, a process expected to take years.
Humanitarian Crisis Persists
Following the deal’s announcement, Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted 50 locations in Gaza, killing at least 12 people in Gaza City. Hospitals faced immense pressure, with staff working through what was described as a “bloody night.”
Qatar’s prime minister, a key mediator, urged both sides to exercise restraint as the ceasefire agreement takes effect.
The conflict, sparked by Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 46,788 deaths in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Israel has stated that 94 hostages remain in Hamas’ custody, with 34 presumed dead.
Click here to join us: https://t.me/+4WmHXyzra6AyMDI8
