Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday that a “last-minute crisis” with Hamas is delaying the approval of a critical ceasefire agreement aimed at pausing the ongoing conflict in Gaza and securing the release of hostages. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of dozens across the embattled region.
Netanyahu’s office stated that the Israeli Cabinet would not convene to approve the agreement until Hamas adhered to all terms, accusing the militant group of reneging on parts of the deal to extract further concessions. Despite these claims, senior Hamas official Izzat al-Rashq insisted that the group remains committed to the ceasefire as agreed upon by mediators.
U.S. and Qatar Broker Deal
The ceasefire agreement, brokered by U.S. President Joe Biden and Qatar, was unveiled on Wednesday. The deal is a significant step toward de-escalating a 15-month war that has destabilized the Middle East and provoked widespread protests globally.
Central to the agreement is the release of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Netanyahu has been under immense domestic pressure to secure the hostages’ release, but his far-right coalition partners have warned against making excessive concessions.
Escalation Before Ceasefire
The Gaza Health Ministry reported at least 48 fatalities in the latest Israeli airstrikes, with women and children making up nearly half of the deaths. Historically, both sides have intensified their military actions ahead of ceasefires to project strength, a pattern that seems to be recurring.
The war, ignited by a Hamas-led assault on Israel in October 2023 that resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and around 250 abductions, has caused widespread destruction in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes have killed over 46,000 people, primarily women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, though Israel claims to have eliminated over 17,000 militants.
Phased Hostage Release and Withdrawal
The proposed ceasefire outlines a phased release of 33 hostages over six weeks, coinciding with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas in Gaza. This arrangement aims to facilitate the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians and boost humanitarian aid.
However, a second phase, involving the release of remaining hostages, including male soldiers, is expected to be more complex. Hamas demands a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal, while Israel insists on dismantling the group and maintaining security control.
International Mediation Continues
Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. are set to meet in Cairo to iron out the deal’s implementation details. Despite the breakthroughs, many long-term issues, such as Gaza’s governance and reconstruction post-war, remain unresolved.
The conflict has drawn international criticism over civilian casualties, with the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court investigating potential war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel and the U.S. have condemned these legal actions.
As the ceasefire negotiations teeter on the brink, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that could bring lasting peace to a region long mired in conflict.