TEL AVIV, Israel — On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that a “last-minute crisis” with Hamas was preventing an official Israeli endorsement of a long-anticipated ceasefire that would cease hostilities in the Gaza Strip and facilitate the release of numerous hostages. In the meantime, Israeli airstrikes were reported to have resulted in the deaths of at least 72 individuals in the already war-torn region.
Netanyahu indicated that uncertainties regarding the ceasefire emerged shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden and key mediator Qatar stated that the agreement had been reached. This created a complex situation where war-weary Palestinians in Gaza, the families of hostages, and global leaders expressed optimism regarding the ceasefire, slated to commence on Sunday, while Netanyahu maintained that the deal was not yet secured.
It remained uncertain whether Netanyahu’s remarks were indicative of tactical maneuvering to maintain the integrity of his diverse coalition or if they signaled genuine concerns about the deal’s viability. The Israeli Cabinet was expected to convene to vote on the ceasefire on Thursday, yet Netanyahu’s office announced that the meeting would not take place until Hamas complied, accusing the group of backing out of aspects of the agreement to secure further concessions, without providing specific details.
Izzat al-Rishq, a senior official from Hamas, asserted that the militant group remains committed to the ceasefire agreement as announced by the mediators. The agreement proposed on Wednesday would facilitate the release of a significant number of hostages in Gaza and initiate a pause in the conflict, ultimately aiming to conclude a 15-month war that has profoundly affected the Middle East and incited global protests.
The conflict was ignited by Hamas’s cross-border assault into Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in around 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 250 individuals. In retaliation, Israel launched a relentless offensive that, according to local health officials who do not differentiate between civilians and militants, has claimed over 46,000 Palestinian lives, with women and children representing more than half of those casualties. Israel claims to have eliminated over 17,000 fighters, though it has not substantiated these figures.
The military actions have devastated extensive areas of Gaza, displacing approximately 90% of its 2.3 million residents. Many are grappling with hunger and disease while residing in overcrowded tent camps along the coastline, according to United Nations representatives.
Netanyahu is under immense pressure domestically to secure the release of hostages, yet his extremist coalition partners have threatened to destabilize his government if he concedes too much. Though he enjoys sufficient support from the opposition to endorse an agreement even without his coalition partners, doing so would undermine his government’s stability.
Among his far-right allies, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has publicly opposed the deal, and Bezalel Smotrich has expressed that he requires “absolute certainty” that Israel can resume military operations later, characterizing the current agreement as “bad and dangerous” for the nation.
Heavy Israeli bombardments were reported overnight by Palestinians in Gaza, coinciding with a moment of celebration for the ceasefire agreement. In previous conflicts, both sides have escalated military actions as a demonstration of strength in the final moments before a ceasefire. Residents expressed their expectations of intensified attacks, with reports of “massive airstrikes” echoing throughout Gaza.
Gaza’s Health Ministry indicated that Israeli strikes have resulted in a minimum of 72 fatalities since the ceasefire proposal was announced, cautioning that the number of casualties is likely even higher than the reported figures.
The ceasefire framework includes provisions for the release of 33 out of approximately 100 hostages still held in Gaza over a period of six weeks, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Israeli military forces are anticipated to withdraw from various areas, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to their remaining homes, alongside an increase in humanitarian assistance.
The remaining hostages, including male soldiers, are expected to be released in a more complex second phase of negotiations that will occur concurrently. Hamas has stated that it will only release these captives in the context of a lasting ceasefire and an extensive Israeli withdrawal, while Israel has vowed to persist in its military efforts until Hamas is dismantled and to uphold ongoing security control over the region.
Discussions regarding the implementation of the ceasefire are set to take place in Cairo, with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States participating in the dialogue, which follows a year marked by intensive negotiations with frequent setbacks.
In addition to the immediate concerns, pivotal questions remain concerning Gaza’s governance and the daunting task of reconstruction following the conflict. Israel has faced extensive international reproach, including from the United States, regarding the civilian toll in Gaza, while Israel contends that Hamas is to blame for the civilian casualties due to its military operations in civilian areas.
Hamas, which does not officially recognize Israel, has encountered severe pressures from Israeli military campaigns, including incursions into Gaza’s major cities and the control of the border with Egypt. Many of its top leaders have been killed, including Yahya Sinwar, allegedly involved in planning the October 7 attack.
However, Hamas fighters have regrouped in some of the most heavily bombarded regions following the retreat of Israeli forces, raising concerns about a potential prolonged insurgency if hostilities continue.
