Israel Postpones Vote on Gaza Ceasefire Amid Last-Minute Hurdles
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed a critical cabinet vote on a Gaza ceasefire deal originally set for Thursday, accusing Hamas of introducing last-minute demands.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged a minor unresolved issue but expressed confidence that the ceasefire would commence on Sunday as planned.
While Israeli negotiators had approved the deal following months of discussions, it requires formal endorsement from the security cabinet and government before implementation. Hamas, though committed to the agreement, reportedly sought to include additional members on the list of Palestinian prisoners to be released under the deal, the BBC reported.
Rising Tensions and Delays
The postponement comes amidst continued Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, which the Hamas-controlled health ministry said killed more than 80 people after the ceasefire deal was announced on Wednesday. Hours before Thursday’s scheduled cabinet meeting, Netanyahu accused Hamas of trying to “extort last-minute concessions.” His office released a statement asserting the cabinet would only convene once Hamas agreed to all aspects of the deal.
Blinken downplayed the delay, describing it as a natural part of a complex negotiation process. Speaking from Washington, he assured reporters that the “loose end” was being addressed and reaffirmed US confidence in the deal’s Sunday start date.
Political Backlash in Israel
Israeli media reported that the cabinet might meet on Friday to finalize the agreement, though official confirmation was lacking. Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, declared that his party would withdraw from Netanyahu’s coalition if the deal was approved, calling it a “reckless” agreement that undermines Israel’s military objectives. Despite his opposition, Ben-Gvir clarified that his party would not attempt to topple the government.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionist Party, another far-right coalition member, was reportedly deliberating a similar course of action.
Hamas and the Ceasefire Agreement
Hamas officially communicated its approval of the agreement to mediators Qatar and Egypt, though sources suggest it was pressing to add one or two symbolic names to the prisoner exchange list. The first phase of the deal is expected to include the release of 33 hostages, comprising women, children, and elderly individuals, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
This initial six-week stage also involves the withdrawal of Israeli troops from densely populated areas in Gaza, the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, and increased humanitarian aid deliveries to the region. Subsequent phases aim to release remaining hostages, achieve a full Israeli troop withdrawal, and lay the groundwork for Gaza’s reconstruction—a process likely to span years.
Escalating Violence Ahead of the Ceasefire
Despite the ceasefire announcement, Israeli airstrikes continued, with the Israel Defense Forces reporting 50 strikes on targets in Gaza. At least 12 people were killed in Gaza City during what medical staff described as an overwhelming night of casualties. The prime minister of Qatar called for calm from both sides ahead of the ceasefire’s planned implementation.
Background and Ongoing Conflict
The deal follows Israel’s campaign against Hamas after a large-scale attack on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken. Since then, over 46,788 people have died in Gaza, according to Hamas health officials. The conflict has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, creating severe shortages of essential supplies, including food, medicine, and shelter.
If approved, the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope for de-escalation, though significant challenges remain in achieving lasting peace.
