TEL AVIV, Israel — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that a last-minute issue with Hamas was delaying the approval of a ceasefire agreement aimed at halting the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and facilitating the release of numerous hostages. In the meantime, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 72 individuals in the already devastated region.
Netanyahu’s office raised concerns about complications with the ceasefire deal shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden and Qatari mediators declared its completion. Despite this announcement, many Palestinians in Gaza, along with the families of hostages and international leaders, remained hopeful for a resolution anticipated to begin on Sunday. However, Netanyahu emphasized that the deal had yet to be finalized. “Hamas is pulling back on the agreements and creating a last-minute crisis that obstructs a resolution,” his office asserted.
The exact nature of Netanyahu’s statements remains unclear; they might stem from efforts to maintain unity within his diverse coalition or indicate a more significant risk to the agreement. The Israeli Cabinet had planned to vote on the ceasefire deal on Thursday, but it was reported that deliberations would only proceed once Hamas complies, as the militant organization is accused of demanding further concessions without clarifying what those entail.
A U.S. official familiar with the negotiations indicated that Hamas had proposed a last-minute amendment relating to the extent of Israeli military withdrawal from at least one densely populated area in Gaza, though the specific location was not disclosed. The official was optimistic that this issue would be swiftly resolved, allowing the ceasefire to commence as scheduled this weekend.
During a Thursday briefing, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer stated that the negotiation team was still in Qatar, striving to achieve a resolution. Izzat al-Rishq, a high-ranking Hamas official, affirmed that the group remained committed to the ceasefire agreement as outlined by the mediators.
Announced on Wednesday, the deal is expected to release numerous hostages held in Gaza and pause hostilities, with an eventual goal of de-escalating a conflict that has persisted for 15 months, destabilizing the Middle East and inciting global protests. The war was initiated by Hamas’ cross-border assault on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and the abduction of around 250 individuals.
Israel retaliated with a severe military campaign that has led to the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not differentiate between combatants and civilians but report that women and children make up a substantial portion of those killed. Israeli sources claim to have eliminated over 17,000 Hamas fighters, although they have not provided substantiating evidence.
The ongoing military operations have devastated significant areas of Gaza, forcing around 90% of the territory’s 2.3 million residents from their homes. The United Nations reports that hundreds of thousands are facing hunger and illness in inadequate shelter along the coastline.
Netanyahu confronts considerable pressure domestically as his office previously accused Hamas of retreating from agreements that would theoretically allow Israel to veto the release of specific prisoners with murder convictions in exchange for hostages. While the Prime Minister is under intense pressure to secure the return of hostages, his far-right coalition members have warned they may withdraw support if he concedes too much. Despite possessing enough opposition backing to approve the agreement independently, doing so would significantly weaken his coalition.
Among his far-right allies, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has openly opposed the deal, while another ally, Bezalel Smotrich, emphasized on social media that he seeks “absolute certainty” regarding Israel’s ability to resume combat operations if needed, deeming the current agreement “bad and dangerous” for the nation. The exit of both factions could substantially destabilize the government and potentially trigger earlier elections.
As reports surface of heavy Israeli bombardments in Gaza coinciding with the announcement of the ceasefire deal, residents expressed expectations of intensified military actions, consistent with patterns observed in prior conflicts. Mohammed Mahdi, a displaced individual, noted his belief that the attacks would increase as there were indications of progress regarding ceasefire negotiations.
Reports indicate that overnight airstrikes delivered devastating blows, with Gaza’s Health Ministry confirming at least 72 fatalities linked to Israeli operations since the ceasefire agreement was revealed. Officials stated the reported numbers from Thursday consisted only of those transported to hospitals, speculating the true toll is likely much higher.
The ceasefire plan entails the gradual release of 33 out of nearly 100 remaining hostages in Gaza over the subsequent six weeks, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians being held in Israeli jails. As hostilities pause, it’s anticipated that many displaced individuals will return to their homes, and humanitarian assistance will be ramped up. However, the complete release of the remaining hostages, including male soldiers, will be addressed in a secondary and more complicated phase of negotiations. Hamas has made it clear that it will not release the rest of the captives without a comprehensive ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal, while Israel has maintained its commitment to continue fighting until Hamas is dismantled and asserts control over the region.
The mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are expected to convene in Cairo for discussions on how to implement the agreement, which relies on a year of intense negotiations often marked by setbacks. As multifaceted diplomatic discussions continue, more questions linger regarding the future governance of Gaza and its reconstruction.
Israel has garnered significant criticism on the international stage, including from key ally, the United States, regarding the humanitarian impacts of its military actions in Gaza, while simultaneously attributing civilian casualties to Hamas for allegedly utilizing civilian infrastructures for military purposes. Hamas, which rejects Israel’s legitimacy, faces enormous pressure resulting from Israeli military efforts, including the occupation of major urban centers and the management of the Gaza-Egypt border, while its high-ranking leaders face significant losses, including those believed to have been involved in orchestrating the initial assault.
As conditions persist, with Hamas fighters regrouping in devastated districts following Israeli advances, there is growing apprehension surrounding the potential for sustained insurgency if the conflict continues.
