Netanyahu Claims ‘Last Minute Crisis’ Delaying Gaza Ceasefire Agreement

Tel Aviv: So, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just said there’s a “last-minute crisis” with Hamas that’s holding up a ceasefire in Gaza. This truce was supposed to pause the fighting and help release hostages. But, even as the U.S. and Qatar announced the deal, Netanyahu hinted that it’s not quite ready yet.

People in Gaza were hopeful, especially those with loved ones taken hostage. But Netanyahu’s comments left everyone a bit confused. The Israeli Cabinet was set to vote on the deal, but Netanyahu’s office said they’d wait until Hamas backs down. They accused Hamas of trying to get more concessions, but didn’t go into details.

A senior Hamas official insisted they’re committed to the ceasefire. The deal would release many hostages and pause the fighting, aiming to end a war that’s been going on for 15 months. This conflict kicked off after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to a massive Israeli response.

The situation in Gaza is dire, with over 46,000 Palestinians reported dead, and many more displaced. The Israeli military says they’ve taken out thousands of fighters, but the numbers are hard to verify. The humanitarian crisis is severe, with many people living in terrible conditions.

Netanyahu is under a lot of pressure at home to bring back hostages. His coalition partners are pushing back against any concessions, which makes things tricky for him. Some of his allies are already voicing strong opposition to the deal, fearing it could weaken Israel’s position.

Meanwhile, as people in Gaza celebrated the potential ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes continued, killing dozens. It’s a tense situation, with both sides ramping up military actions as they negotiate.

The deal, if it goes through, would see some hostages released over the next six weeks in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. But Hamas has made it clear they won’t release all captives without a lasting ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal.

There are still many questions about what happens next in Gaza. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. are set to meet to discuss the agreement. The international community is watching closely, especially given the heavy civilian toll in Gaza.

It’s a complicated mess, and the future remains uncertain for everyone involved.