Israel Hamas War Update: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has announced that the Cabinet will not convene to approve the ceasefire deal until Hamas resolves its last-minute demands, according to reports. This development could potentially delay the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, which was announced by the US and Qatar.
Reuters quotes Netanyahu’s office, stating: “Hamas reneges on parts of the agreement reached with the mediators and Israel in an effort to extort last-minute concessions. The Israeli Cabinet will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement.”
Originally scheduled for 11 am (9 am GMT), the Jerusalem Post had earlier reported that the delay in the security Cabinet meeting was due to the “hostage deal delegation” not having completed its work in Qatar or returned to Israel.
Despite the upcoming vote, Israel continued its airstrikes on Gaza, as reported by residents and authorities in the Palestinian region, with dozens of casualties reported since the proposed ceasefire was announced on Wednesday.
The ceasefire is expected to begin on Sunday and will involve the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Once this initial stage is completed, further talks will focus on finalising a broader peace agreement. The prime minister of Qatar, a key mediator in the talks, confirmed that 33 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza would be released as part of the first phase. It is said to last for 42 days
In return, Israel plans to free around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, with sources from both sides indicating the exchange could help de-escalate the violence.
Despite the progress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed cautious optimism. He spoke with both US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on Wednesday, thanking them for their support but reminding that "final details" of the agreement were still being worked out.
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Early on Thursday, Netanyahu raised concerns that Hamas may not fully honour the ceasefire terms, suggesting potential obstacles to the deal's full implementation.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also expressed support for the ceasefire, calling it a “positive move,” although two of Netanyahu's key ministers voiced strong opposition. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich labelled the deal as "bad and dangerous for Israel's security," while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir described it as a "disastrous deal."
As the vote on the ceasefire approaches, many are watching closely to see if the deal will hold and whether it can lead to a lasting end to the violence. The coming days will be crucial for determining whether peace can be achieved or if the conflict will once again escalate.