Netanyahu’s comments raise concerns over a potential ceasefire and hostage release amid ongoing violence in Gaza
Netanyahu started raising concerns about the deal just hours after it was announced as finalized by U.S. President Joe Biden and Qatar. It’s a bit of a mixed bag. People in Gaza and world leaders were hopeful about the agreement, but Netanyahu made it clear that it’s not a done deal yet.
It’s hard to tell if Netanyahu is just trying to keep his coalition partners happy or if the deal is genuinely in jeopardy. His office said they won’t approve anything until Hamas backs down, accusing them of trying to get more concessions without giving details.
A senior Hamas official, though, insists they’re committed to the ceasefire agreement. The deal, which was announced Wednesday, aims to release hostages and pause the fighting, hoping to eventually end a 15-month-long war that’s caused chaos in the Middle East.
This whole situation kicked off when Hamas launched a cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in a tragic loss of life and many hostages taken. Israel has responded with a heavy military campaign, leading to a staggering number of Palestinian casualties, with many being women and children.
The military actions have devastated large parts of Gaza, displacing around 90% of its 2.3 million residents. Many are now living in dire conditions, struggling with hunger and disease in makeshift camps.
Netanyahu is under a lot of pressure at home to bring back the hostages, but his far-right coalition partners are threatening to pull support if he makes too many concessions. He could get enough votes from the opposition to approve a deal, but that would weaken his coalition.
Some of his far-right allies are already voicing their opposition to the deal, calling it dangerous for Israel. If they leave the coalition, it could lead to early elections, which would be a big shake-up.
Meanwhile, as people in Gaza were hoping for a ceasefire, they reported heavy bombardment overnight. It’s not unusual for both sides to ramp up military actions right before a ceasefire, trying to show strength.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that the recent strikes have killed at least 72 people since the ceasefire was announced, and the actual number could be higher. It’s been a bloody few days, and the situation is only getting worse.
The deal that was reached includes plans to release 33 hostages over the next six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Israeli forces are expected to pull back from many areas, allowing some displaced Palestinians to return home and increasing humanitarian aid.
However, the remaining hostages, including male soldiers, will only be released in a second phase, which is expected to be much tougher to negotiate. Hamas has made it clear they won’t release the rest without a lasting ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal, while Israel insists on continuing its fight against Hamas.
Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. are set to meet in Cairo to discuss how to implement the agreement, which has taken a year of intense negotiations to reach. There are still many unanswered questions about what happens in Gaza after the fighting stops, including who will govern and how reconstruction will be handled.
Israel has faced a lot of criticism internationally, even from the U.S., regarding the civilian toll in Gaza. They blame Hamas for using civilian areas for military purposes, which complicates the situation even more.
Hamas, which doesn’t recognize Israel, is under immense pressure from Israeli military actions. Many of its leaders have been killed, but their fighters seem to be regrouping in some of the hardest-hit areas, raising concerns about a prolonged conflict if the war continues.
