A highly anticipated ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which promised a six-week pause in fighting and the release of dozens of hostages, remains in limbo as the Israeli Cabinet delays its approval, citing a “last-minute crisis” with Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Thursday that the militant group was attempting to renegotiate parts of the agreement to gain further concessions.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have continued, killing dozens of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
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The Israeli Cabinet was expected to vote on the deal Thursday. However, Netanyahu’s office announced the vote would not proceed until Hamas “backs down.”
Netanyahu accused the group of reneging on parts of the agreement, though his office did not elaborate on the specific issues.
While Hamas has publicly affirmed its commitment to the deal, Israel’s internal political dynamics could also be playing a role. Netanyahu’s coalition is under pressure from ultranationalist allies, who demand that any ceasefire agreement includes a commitment to resume military operations after 42 days.
If approved, the ceasefire would bring much-needed relief to Gaza, where widespread destruction has left entire neighborhoods in ruins. The deal includes the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas, including two Americans, and the liberation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
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However, the delay in approval has cast doubt over the immediate future of the truce. The continued airstrikes and political maneuvering threaten to derail the fragile agreement, with Prime Minister Netanyahu walking a tightrope between international diplomacy and internal coalition politics.
Netanyahu’s decision to delay the vote reflects a precarious balancing act. His ultranationalist allies demand a hardline stance, while opposition leader Yair Lapid has offered conditional support, potentially propping up Netanyahu’s government in exchange for political leverage.
“It’s not yet clear if Netanyahu’s statements merely reflected jockeying to keep his fractious coalition together or whether the deal was truly at risk,” a senior official noted.
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The delay has also placed a spotlight on the international mediators who brokered the agreement, including Qatar and the United States.
President-elect Donald Trump has championed the ceasefire as a significant diplomatic achievement, while President Biden scoffed Wednesday at the idea that Trump had anything to do with the deal.
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