Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that his Cabinet will not convene to approve the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip nor authorize the release of hostages until Hamas demonstrates compliance. They accuse the group of backtracking on various aspects of the deal in hopes of securing additional concessions.
Netanyahu cited a “last-minute crisis” with Hamas as the reason for delaying Israel’s endorsement of the long-anticipated ceasefire agreement, although further details were not provided by his office.
As the ceasefire negotiations unfolded, Israeli airstrikes reportedly resulted in the deaths of 72 individuals in Gaza, as per the information from Gaza’s Health Ministry. Residents noted intense bombardments overnight coinciding with celebrations of the ceasefire negotiations. Historical patterns have shown that both Israel and Hamas tend to escalate their military actions as they approach potential truce agreements, aiming to assert strength.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, 48 of those who were killed since midday Wednesday were transported to various medical facilities. Notably, around half of the deceased are reported to be women and children, with Zaher al-Wahedi, head of the ministry’s documentation department, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
Under the terms of the agreement reached Wednesday, 33 hostages are expected to be released over a six-week timeframe in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees held by Israel. Further negotiations are planned for a second phase to address the release of remaining captives, which includes male soldiers. Hamas has indicated that it will not free these remaining captives unless there is a firm ceasefire along with a full withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Israel’s ongoing military operations have reportedly resulted in over 46,000 casualties in Gaza, the majority of whom are said to be women and children. The exact number of militants among the casualties has not been clarified. Israel claims to have killed upward of 17,000 combatants while not providing substantiated evidence.
Currently, there have been at least 72 fatalities ensuing from Israeli strikes since the announcement of the ceasefire, as detailed by Gaza officials. The Health Ministry’s figures reflect only the bodies that have made it to two hospitals in Gaza City, suggesting that the true toll may be even higher.
In Jerusalem, families of deceased soldiers demonstrated against the ceasefire agreement. The Gvura Forum, which represents some of these families, expressed disapproval of the deal, arguing that it will not lead to the dismantling of Hamas and could release individuals convicted of serious crimes against Israelis. They erected symbolic mock coffins draped in the Israeli flag, depicting the potential costs of the agreement.
Statements from mourners highlighted the emotional fallout, citing that instead of hearing about a truce, they learned of the death of loved ones. The sentiment was echoed by relatives who were waiting for respite from the violence. Amid the grief, opinions diverge within Israeli society, with some favoring a ceasefire for the safe return of hostages, while others fear it may yield excessive concessions to Hamas.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Ministry expressed hope that the ceasefire could usher in lasting stability in Gaza. The spokesperson acknowledged the role of mediators from Qatar and Egypt, as well as the involvement of the new American administration, in reaching this agreement. They underscored that it could enhance conditions for returning displaced persons and facilitating the exchange of hostages.
In a related note, Iran-backed militia Harakat al-Nujaba announced it would suspend operations against Israel in solidarity with the ceasefire, but underlined that their military capabilities remain ready for deployment if the truce is breached.
As the situation evolves, other countries have expressed their positions. For instance, Indonesia, welcoming the ceasefire, called for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state as part of the resolution process. In contrast, Pakistan criticized Israel’s military actions that allegedly led to significant civilian casualties, urging that the ceasefire should pave the way for permanent peace and increased humanitarian aid in the area.
Both Japan and South Korea acknowledged the ceasefire agreement as a crucial step toward enhancing humanitarian conditions and stabilizing Gaza. They called upon all parties to diligently implement the agreement and ensure the release of hostages.
