Netanyahu Delays Ceasefire Vote, Blames Hamas for Last-Minute Crisis
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that the vote on a proposed ceasefire has been postponed due to allegations that Hamas is attempting to alter details of the agreement brokered by Qatar. The Israeli government claims it will not approve the ceasefire until these issues are resolved.
According to official statements, Hamas is accused of violating parts of the deal established with mediators and Israel as a means of extorting last-minute concessions. The Prime Minister's office emphasized that the cabinet will not convene until mediators confirm that Hamas is in full agreement with all aspects of the ceasefire.
The Israeli government meeting, originally scheduled for 10 AM local time, is now uncertain following Netanyahu's announcement, which has been reported by various news outlets including The Jerusalem Post and Reuters.
In response, Hamas asserted its commitment to the ceasefire agreement as announced by the mediators. Basem Naim, a member of Hamas's political bureau, expressed confusion regarding Netanyahu's claims about new demands from Hamas.
Prior to the Prime Minister's communication, reports indicated that the Israeli government meeting would be delayed at least until later in the day. The delay was attributed to the ongoing negotiations by the delegation working on the hostage agreement in Qatar, which has not yet returned to Israel. The cabinet will meet once this delegation completes its work.
Earlier in the day, Netanyahu's office revealed that the Prime Minister had held a phone conversation with the mediators in Doha, who informed him that Hamas was attempting to deviate from the agreement reached on May 27. The group reportedly seeks to have a say in determining which prisoners will be released in exchange for hostages. The Israeli statement criticized these efforts, claiming they contradict explicit clauses that allow Israel to veto the release of certain convicted terrorists.
Despite the announcement of a ceasefire set to begin on Sunday, Israeli military operations continue, with reports of over 50 fatalities in Gaza overnight.
Within Netanyahu's coalition government, which comprises ultra-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, tensions are escalating surrounding the ceasefire agreement. The Religious Zionism party has threatened to withdraw from the government over opposition to the deal with Hamas.
According to public broadcaster Kan, the delay in the government vote may be linked to ongoing discussions within the Religious Zionism party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, regarding their future in the government once the ceasefire is approved.
Both Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have voiced strong opposition to what they perceive as a capitulation to Hamas, arguing that it would hinder their aspirations for Jewish settlers to reclaim territory in the region post-conflict. However, even if dissenting voices remain, Netanyahu is expected to have sufficient support to approve the ceasefire, which would take effect after more than 15 months of violence resulting in nearly 47,000 Gazan casualties.
