New hurdles | PM Netanyahu accuses Hamas of creating ‘last-minute crisis’ by reneging on parts of the agreement

Israeli Cabinet nod to truce deal delayed

AP TEL AVIV

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that a “last-minute crisis” with Hamas was holding up Israeli approval of a long-awaited agreement to pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages. 

"The Israeli cabinet will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement," Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, accusing Hamas of reneging on parts of the agreement in an attempt to gain further concessions.

Fresh demands on Philadelphi Corridor

An unnamed “senior political source” told  the Times of Israel  that Israel’s negotiating team in Qatar has received last-minute demands from Hamas regarding the so-called Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border. According to the source, the demands go against the maps that were approved by the Israel cabinet and the American mediators over the course of the negotiations. The official said that Israel is opposed to making any changes to these maps.

In a statement reported by Reuters and Palestinian media, Izzat al-Rishq from the organisation's political bureau says: "Hamas is committed to the ceasefire agreement announced by the mediators."US President Joe Biden and key mediator Qatar announced the deal on Wednesday, which is aimed at releasing scores of hostages held in Gaza and winding down a 15-month war that has destabilized the Middle East and sparked worldwide protests.

Netanyahu’s office had earlier accused Hamas of backtracking on an earlier understanding that would give Israel a veto over which prisoners convicted of murder would be released in exchange for hostages. Netanyahu has faced great domestic pressure to bring home the scores of hostages, but his far-right coalition partners have threatened to bring down his government if he makes too many concessions.

Deceased soldiers kin protest

Families of Israeli soldiers who were  killed during the war since the surprise Hamas attack inside southern Israel on October 7, 2023 gathered in Jerusalem to stage a protest against any ceasefire deal, and set up mock coffins draped in Israeli flags to make their point.