My Cabinet Will Delay Ceasefire Meeting Until Hamas Resolves ‘Last-Minute Crisis’; Says Israeli PM Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Thursday that his Cabinet would not convene to approve the Gaza ceasefire agreement until Hamas resolves what it described as a “last-minute crisis.”
Netanyahu’s office accused Hamas of reneging on parts of the deal in an effort “to extract last-minute concessions,” without providing further details, AP News reports.
The Israeli Cabinet was set to ratify the deal Thursday.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had struck a deal that would see all hostages released.
“We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East,” Trump posted on his TruthSocial platform on Wednesday. “They will be released shortly.”
According to several reports, the agreement approved in Qatar involves a 42-day ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners, including all Israelis taken captive in the October 7, 2023 Hamas incursion from Gaza.
“This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies,” Trump said in another post.
His national security team will “continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven,” the US president-elect added. “This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the World!”
As news of the deal broke, crowds gathered in Deir al Bala in Gaza, and celebratory gunfire was heard.
