TEL AVIV, Israel — On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that a “last-minute crisis” involving Hamas was delaying Israel’s approval of a long-anticipated ceasefire. This ceasefire would halt the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and facilitate the release of numerous hostages. Concurrently, Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least 72 individuals in the already war-torn territory.
Netanyahu began expressing concerns regarding the ceasefire agreement hours after it was stated to be complete by U.S. President Joe Biden and key mediator Qatar. This development created conflicting perceptions: while war-weary Palestinians in Gaza and the families of the hostages welcomed the news of a ceasefire set to start on Sunday, Netanyahu insisted that it had yet to be finalized.
It remains uncertain whether Netanyahu’s remarks were aimed at negotiating within his contentious coalition or if the ceasefire deal itself was actually in jeopardy. His office commented that the Cabinet would refrain from meeting to approve the agreement until Hamas shows compliance, alleging that the group was not adhering to certain components of the deal to obtain further concessions, without providing additional details.
A senior Hamas representative, Izzat al-Rishq, stated that the group remains committed to the ceasefire accord announced by the mediators. The arrangement laid out on Wednesday would lead to the release of a number of hostages held in Gaza and a pause in hostilities with the intention of gradually ending the 15-month conflict that has unnerved the Middle East and ignited widespread protests globally.
The war, which Hamas instigated on October 7, 2023, with a cross-border assault into Israel, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 250 others. Israel’s retaliation has reportedly killed over 46,000 Palestinians, as noted by local health officials. These officials do not differentiate between militants and civilians but claim that over half of the deceased are women and children. Israel asserts that it has eliminated over 17,000 combatants but has not substantiated these claims.
The military actions have devastated substantial areas of Gaza, displacing approximately 90% of its population, estimated to be around 2.3 million individuals. Humanitarian conditions are dire, with hundreds of thousands struggling with hunger and disease while residing in makeshift tent camps along the coast, as reported by United Nations officials.
Netanyahu is under considerable internal pressure. His office has previously accused Hamas of reverting on an understanding that would grant Israel the power to veto which prisoners convicted of murder could be released in exchange for hostages. Facing significant domestic demands, Netanyahu aims to secure the release of the hostages, yet his far-right coalition partners have warned that they might destabilize his government if he concedes too much. While he possesses sufficient support from opposition factions to validate a ceasefire agreement without those coalition partners, it could lead to a weakened governance structure.
Some of his far-right allies, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have publicly opposed the deal. Another ally, Bezalel Smotrich, took to social media demanding “absolute certainty” that Israel could re-engage in military action later, characterizing the current agreement as “bad and dangerous.” The withdrawal of both factions could critically destabilize the government and potentially trigger early elections.
As celebrations erupted in Gaza over the supposed ceasefire agreement, Palestinians reported intense Israeli bombardment throughout the night. In earlier conflicts, both sides have escalated military operations in the dying hours before announcing ceasefires to assert dominance. Mohammed Mahdi, a Gaza City resident who displaced from his home months prior, stated, “We were expecting the occupation would intensify the bombing, as seen in previous truces.” Ahmed Mattar, residing near the Al-Ahly hospital in the city, recounted hearing “massive airstrikes” during the night.
The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed that Israeli strikes had claimed at least 72 lives since the ceasefire announcement, adding that Thursday’s figures only reflect casualties at two hospitals in Gaza City and that the true toll might be even higher. “Yesterday was a bloody day, and today is bloodier,” lamented Zaher al-Wahedi, who oversees the ministry’s registration department. Reports from the Israeli side at the border with Gaza corroborated continued airstrikes and artillery fire on Thursday.
According to the deal established on Wednesday, 33 of the approximately 100 hostages remaining in Gaza are set for release during the upcoming six weeks, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians detained by Israel. Concurrently, Israeli military forces are expected to withdraw from several regions, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to what remains of their homes, along with a concerted influx of humanitarian aid.
The remaining captives, which include male soldiers, are slated for release in a second, more challenging phase contingent upon successful negotiations during the first phase. Hamas has articulated that it will not release any remaining hostages without a durable ceasefire, alongside a full Israeli withdrawal. Conversely, Israel has reaffirmed its commitment to anti-Hamas efforts until the group is dismantled while retaining indefinite control over security in the region.
Negotiators from Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. plan to convene in Cairo on Thursday to discuss the execution of the ceasefire agreement, which culminated after a year of intensive negotiations with multiple setbacks. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy joined the talks recently, with both the outgoing and incoming administrations claiming credit for the agreement’s achievement.
Many overarching issues concerning the future of Gaza remain unresolved, including governance and the considerable task of reconstruction. Internationally, Israel has faced substantial criticism, even from its traditional ally, the United States, regarding the civilian casualties in Gaza. Israel counters that Hamas is responsible for these civilian deaths, alleging the group utilizes schools, hospitals, and residential areas for military purposes.
As a militant organization refusing to acknowledge Israel’s sovereignty, Hamas has encountered immense pressure from Israeli military initiatives, which have included incursions into major urban areas and control over borders. Key leaders, such as Yahya Sinwar, suspected of orchestrating the October 7 attacks, have fallen victim to the conflict. However, fighters have begun to regroup in some of the most severely impacted regions following the withdrawal of Israeli troops, raising concerns about a prolonged insurgency if hostilities persist.
