Police engage with protesters blocking a road during a rally in Tel Aviv, Israel, calling for a ceasefire and the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Saturday.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the postponement of a cabinet meeting originally set for Thursday to vote on a peace deal with Hamas. This delay casts doubt on the prospects for a ceasefire following 15 months of conflict, which many hoped would begin on Sunday.
Netanyahu stated that the meeting will only convene once Hamas withdraws its demands for “last-minute concessions,” claiming that “Hamas is reneging on parts of the agreement reached with the mediators.”
He emphasized that the cabinet meeting would not take place until Israel receives confirmation that “all elements of the agreement” have been accepted, although he did not specify which parts of the deal were being contested by Hamas.
In contrast, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri asserted in an interview that Netanyahu’s claims about Hamas retracting parts of the ceasefire agreement were unfounded.
Additionally, Izzat al-Rishq, another member of Hamas’ political wing, reiterated the group’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement as announced by the mediators.
Netanyahu recently expressed gratitude to international leaders for their role in negotiating the deal. However, he faces increasing pressure from far-right coalition members opposed to any agreement with Hamas, despite potential benefits including the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Some coalition members have threatened to withdraw their support, which could jeopardize the stability of Netanyahu’s government.
Even as the deal appeared on the horizon, violence persisted. Reports indicate that over 73 people were killed by Israeli forces and more than 230 were injured in ongoing airstrikes, according to authorities in Gaza.
The current conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack from Gaza, leading to about 1,200 Israeli casualties and more than 250 hostages captured. In total, over 46,000 Palestinians are reported dead as a result of the violence, predominantly women and children, while the Israeli military has confirmed 405 soldier fatalities since the invasion of Gaza.
