Netanyahu says ‘last minute crisis’ with Hamas holding up approval of Gaza truce and hostage deal

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Thursday {that a} “final minute disaster” with Hamas was holding up Israeli approval of a long-awaited settlement to pause the preventing within the Gaza Strip and launch dozens of hostages. Israeli airstrikes in the meantime killed dozens of individuals throughout the war-ravaged territory.

Netanyahu’s workplace stated his Cupboard gained’t meet to approve the settlement till Hamas backs down, accusing it of reneging on elements of the settlement in an try to realize additional concessions.

Izzat al-Rashq, a senior Hamas official, stated the fear group “is dedicated to the ceasefire settlement, which was introduced by the mediators.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a press convention in Jerusalem on Dec. 9, 2024. POOL/AFP by way of Getty Pictures

US President Joe Biden and key mediator Qatar introduced the deal on Wednesday, which is geared toward releasing scores of hostages held in Gaza and winding down a 15-month warfare that has destabilized the Center East and sparked worldwide protests.

Netanyahu’s workplace had earlier accused Hamas of backtracking on an earlier understanding that he stated would give Israel a veto over which prisoners convicted of homicide could be launched in change for hostages.

Netanyahu has confronted nice home strain to carry dwelling the scores of hostages, however his far-right coalition companions have threatened to carry down his authorities if he makes too many concessions.

Israeli strikes throughout the Gaza Strip have in the meantime killed a minimum of 48 folks over the previous day, in keeping with the territory’s Well being Ministry. In earlier conflicts, each side have stepped up army operations within the last hours earlier than ceasefires as a method to undertaking power.

Round half of the lifeless have been girls and youngsters, Zaher al-Wahedi, head of the ministry’s registration division, advised The Related Press. He stated the toll may rise as hospitals replace their data.

Smoke rises from the Gaza Strip following studies of explosions within the space above destroyed buildings on Jan. 16, 2025. AFP by way of Getty Pictures

A phased withdrawal and hostage launch with potential pitfalls

The warfare started when Hamas-led terrorists stormed into Israel in a shock assault on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 folks, principally civilians, and abducting round 250.

Some 100 hostages are nonetheless inside Gaza, and the Israeli army believes round a 3rd and as much as half of them are lifeless.

Beneath the deal reached Wednesday, 33 hostages are set to be launched over the following six weeks in change for lots of of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Protesters take to the streets of Tel Aviv demanding motion to safe the discharge of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza on Jan. 15, 2025. AFP by way of Getty Pictures

Israeli forces will pull again from many areas, lots of of hundreds of Palestinians would be capable of return to what’s left of their houses, and there could be a surge of humanitarian help.

The rest of the hostages, together with male troopers, are to be launched in a second — and rather more tough — part that shall be negotiated through the first. Hamas has stated it is not going to launch the remaining captives with out a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal, whereas Israel has vowed to maintain preventing till it dismantles the group and to keep up open-ended safety management over the territory.

Israel’s offensive has killed over 46,000 folks in Gaza, principally girls and youngsters, in keeping with the Well being Ministry. it doesn't say how lots of the lifeless have been terrorists. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 fighters, with out offering proof.

The warfare has destroyed huge areas of Gaza and displaced some 90% of its inhabitants of two.3 million folks, in keeping with the United Nations.

Individuals sift by means of the rubble of a constructing struck by an Israeli airstrike in Jabalia within the northern Gaza Strip on Jan. 16, 2025. AFP by way of Getty Pictures

Israel says last particulars nonetheless being labored out

Mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the US are anticipated to fulfill in Cairo on Thursday for talks on implementing the settlement. They've spent the previous yr holding oblique talks with Israel and Hamas that lastly resulted in a deal after repeated setbacks.

President-elect Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy joined the talks within the last weeks, and each the outgoing administration and Trump’s crew are taking credit score for the breakthrough.

Many longer-term questions on postwar Gaza stay, together with who will rule the territory or oversee the daunting process of reconstruction after a brutal battle that has destabilized the broader Center East and sparked worldwide protests.

Israel has come below heavy worldwide criticism, together with from its closest ally, the US, over the civilian toll in Gaza. It additionally blames Hamas for the civilian casualties, accusing it of utilizing colleges, hospitals and residential areas for army functions.

The Worldwide Courtroom of Justice is investigating allegations introduced by South Africa that Israel has dedicated genocide.

The Worldwide Felony Courtroom, a separate physique additionally based mostly in The Hague, has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former protection minister and a Hamas commander for warfare crimes and crimes in opposition to humanity linked to the warfare.

Demonstrators embrace throughout a protest for Israeli hostage security. AFP by way of Getty Pictures

Israel and the US have condemned the actions taken by each courts.

Hamas, a terror group that doesn't settle for Israel’s existence, has come below overwhelming strain from Israeli army operations, together with the invasion of Gaza’s largest cities and cities and the takeover of the border between Gaza and Egypt.

Its prime leaders, together with Yahya Sinwar, who was believed to have helped mastermind the Oct. 7, 2023, assault, have been killed.

However its fighters have regrouped in a number of the hardest-hit areas after the withdrawal of Israeli forces, elevating the prospect of a chronic insurgency if the warfare continues.