Netanyahu Postpones Gaza Ceasefire Deal Over Hamas 'Last Minute Crisis'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced Thursday that his Cabinet will not convene to approve the Gaza ceasefire agreement due to what it described as a "last-minute crisis" caused by Hamas.

The statement accused Hamas of reneging on parts of the agreement in a bid "to extort last-minute concessions."

Why It Matters

Netanyahu is under intense domestic pressure to secure the release of the hostages, but his far-right coalition partners have warned they could topple his government if they perceive the deal involves excessive concessions. The impasse highlights the political and moral complexities Netanyahu faces while he navigates the high-stakes negotiations.

What to Know

Netanyahu's office accused Hamas of reneging on an earlier agreement granting Israel a veto over which prisoners convicted of murder would be released in exchange for hostages. This disagreement has delayed the Israeli Cabinet's approval of the ceasefire deal.

On Wednesday Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani confirmed during a news conference in Doha that a ceasefire deal had been reached between Israel and Hamas. Doha served as the host city for the negotiations that led to the agreement.

Simultaneously, U.S. President Joe Biden announced the deal during a farewell address at the White House. The agreement, brokered with Qatar's mediation, is seen as a significant step toward resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

What Has Been Agreed within the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire?

Biden and Al Thani unveiled a Gaza ceasefire agreement designed to secure the release of 33 hostages over six weeks. In exchange, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and withdraw from significant portions of Gaza.

On Wednesday Iran-aligned forces in Iraq and Yemen also announced a suspension of their attacks on Israel following the ceasefire deal.

The decision from militant factions in the region, which now appears uncertain in light of Netanyahu's announcement, reflects a shift in the regional dynamics influenced by the ceasefire.

How Did the Current Middle East Conflict Start?

Israeli officials estimate that around 1,200 people, most of them civilians, were killed during the initial attack on Oct.7 2023 by Iran-backed Hamas and allied Palestinian factions in Gaza, sparking the current conflict. Additional casualties have resulted from ongoing rocket, missile, and drone attacks by Hamas and Iran-aligned groups, including the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, which agreed to a 60-day ceasefire with Israel on November 27 of last year.

Of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas at the conflict's onset, around 100 are believed to remain in captivity, with many feared dead.

Meanwhile, Gaza's Palestinian Health Ministry reports over 46,600 deaths since the war began, the majority said to include women, children, and the elderly. However, the ministry has not differentiated between combatants and noncombatants in its figures. This underscores the devastating human toll on both sides of the conflict.

What People Are Saying

Izzat al-Rashq, a senior Hamas official, said the militant group "is committed to the ceasefire agreement, which was announced by the mediators."

President-elect Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform shortly after the deal was announced on Wednesday, to state that "WE HAVE A DEAL," taking credit for the agreement and proclaiming that hostages held by Hamas "WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY."

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said earlier Wednesday that Foreign Minister Gideon Saar cut short his trip to Europe "following the progress in the hostage release negotiations" and "will return to Israel tonight to participate in the expected discussions and votes in the Security Cabinet and government," according to a statement published by a number of media outlets.

What Happens Next

The deal, seen as a potential turning point in the conflict, now faces uncertainty while negotiators work to resolve the impasse.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press