Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a last-minute crisis with Hamas was delaying approval of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, despite the deal being announced by US President Joe Biden and Qatar. The agreement aims to release hostages and end a 15-month war.
Israel i Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that a last-minute crisis with Hamas was preventing Israel from approving a long-awaited agreement to cease hostilities in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages. Netanyahu 's office stated that the cabinet would not convene to endorse the agreement until Hamas retreated from its stance, accusing the militant group of reneging on parts of the accord in pursuit of further concessions.
Izzat al-Rashq, a senior Hamas official, refuted these claims, asserting that the group remained committed to the ceasefire agreement mediated by the United States and Qatar. US President Joe Biden and Qatar, acting as key mediators, unveiled the agreement on Wednesday, aiming to facilitate the release of numerous hostages held in Gaza and bring an end to a 15-month conflict that has destabilized the Middle East and sparked global protests. Netanyahu's office had previously alleged that Hamas had backtracked on an earlier understanding that would have granted Israel veto power over the release of murderers among the prisoners exchanged for hostages. Netanyahu faces significant domestic pressure to secure the return of the hostages, but his far-right coalition partners have threatened to topple his government if he makes substantial concessions.The ceasefire agreement, reached after repeated setbacks and extensive negotiations, stipulates the release of 33 hostages over the next six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Israeli forces are expected to withdraw from several areas, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to their homes, and a surge in humanitarian aid is anticipated. The remaining hostages, including male soldiers, are to be released in a subsequent, more complex phase that will be negotiated during the initial period. Hamas has declared its unwillingness to release these captives without a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal, while Israel has maintained its resolve to continue fighting until the group is dismantled and to retain open-ended security control over the territory.The war erupted when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, including several Canadian citizens, and the abduction of around 250. Approximately 100 hostages remain in Gaza, and the Israeli military estimates that a third to half of them are deceased. Israel's offensive has claimed the lives of over 46,000 people in Gaza, primarily women and children, according to the enclave's Health Ministry, which does not specify the number of militant casualties. Israel asserts that it has killed over 17,000 fighters, but has not provided any evidence to support this claim.The ceasefire has instilled a cautious optimism among people on both sides of the border as they await the release of hostages and the influx of humanitarian aid. The war has devastated vast swathes of Gaza, displacing approximately 90 percent of its 2.3 million residents, according to the United Nations. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are scheduled to convene in Cairo on Thursday for discussions on implementing the agreement. They have dedicated the past year to conducting indirect talks with Israel and Hamas, culminating in this breakthrough after numerous setbacks. President-elect Donald Trump's Mideast envoy participated in the talks during the final weeks, and both the outgoing administration and Trump's team are claiming credit for the progress
HAMAS ISRAEL CEASEFIRE HOSTAGES NETANYAHU GAZA MEDIATION
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