Tensions surrounding a proposed ceasefire deal in the ongoing Gaza conflict escalated on Thursday, as Israel accused Hamas of backtracking on parts of the agreement.
The accusations come ahead of a cabinet vote on the deal, which would involve a truce, the release of hostages, and an eventual pathway to ending the war.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement alleging that Hamas had “reneged on parts of the agreement reached… in an effort to extort last-minute concessions.” Netanyahu’s office also clarified that the Israeli cabinet would not convene until mediators confirmed Hamas’ acceptance of all the deal’s terms.
Hamas, however, denied the claims. Sami Abu Zuhri, a member of the Hamas political bureau, dismissed Israel’s allegations, saying there was “no basis” for them.
The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar and the United States, was announced Wednesday. Under the deal, a truce would take effect Sunday, allowing the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Talks to establish a permanent end to the conflict would follow.
Despite the announcement, the conflict has continued. The Gaza Civil Defence Agency reported fresh Israeli airstrikes, which have killed at least 73 people and injured hundreds since the deal was revealed.
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The agreement faces hurdles within Israel’s government. Netanyahu’s coalition, particularly far-right leaders like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, has expressed opposition to the deal. Smotrich called it a “dangerous deal,” while Ben Gvir described it as “disastrous.”
Israeli media speculated that internal disagreements among cabinet members might delay the government’s ratification. Kan public broadcaster suggested that Netanyahu faces challenges in maintaining coalition unity, particularly with Smotrich’s strong opposition.
The conflict traces back to Hamas’ unprecedented October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed 1,210 people, mostly civilians, and led to the abduction of 251 individuals. Of the hostages, 94 remain in Gaza, with Israeli military sources stating that 34 of them are deceased.
Israel’s subsequent military response has devastated Gaza, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting 46,788 deaths, most of them civilians. The figures have been deemed credible by the United Nations.
The agreement has seen intense mediation efforts from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani urged all parties to honor the terms, saying, “We hope that all parties will commit to implementing all the terms of this agreement.”
The proposed deal outlines a 42-day ceasefire in its initial phase, during which 33 hostages would be released, including women, children, the elderly, and those with medical needs. In return, Israeli forces would withdraw from densely populated Gaza areas, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes.
U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the deal, calling the negotiations among the “toughest” of his career. He emphasized that it would provide “much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians and reunite the hostages with their families.”
President-elect Donald Trump also celebrated the ceasefire on social media, describing it as an “EPIC ceasefire agreement.”
Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stressed the urgency of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. Coordination efforts to reopen the Rafah border crossing for aid entry are reportedly underway.
The UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), which faces an impending Israeli ban on its operations, also endorsed the agreement. “What’s needed is rapid, unhindered, and uninterrupted humanitarian access and supplies to respond to the tremendous suffering caused by this war,” wrote UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini on X.
As negotiations continue, the agreement’s implementation remains uncertain, with deep political divisions, ongoing violence, and fragile trust between the warring parties casting a shadow over hopes for peace.
