Ceasefire Agreement Faces Hurdles as Netanyahu Delays Vote Amid Controversy
A day after a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending 15 months of conflict in Gaza was announced by mediators including Qatar, the US, and Egypt, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated it would not proceed to a vote within his government as anticipated. This decision seems to stem from last-minute discrepancies regarding the implementation of the ceasefire, which arose during negotiations in Doha. Accusations have been made by Netanyahu, who is backed by two far-right coalition partners opposed to the pact, suggesting that the Islamist movement Hamas is attempting to backtrack on prior commitments and is seeking additional concessions. However, there has been no independent evidence supporting these claims. Izzat al-Rishq, a senior member of Hamas's Political Bureau, reaffirmed his group's commitment to the agreement via Telegram.
Since the announcement of the ceasefire, celebrations erupted in Gaza; however, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly resulted in the deaths of 73 individuals in the Strip. Netanyahu has remained notably silent regarding the agreement. His office clarified that comments would only be made after finalization, keeping in mind the ongoing complications that do not relate to the agreement's text but rather to the selection process for Palestinian prisoners who would be released in exchange for nearly 100 hostages held by Hamas since the October 7 assault on Israel.
On Thursday, Netanyahu accused Hamas of creating a crisis at the eleventh hour and violating parts of the agreement to gain additional concessions. The Israeli Cabinet has stated it will not convene until mediators inform Israel that Hamas has accepted all components of the agreement. On the Israeli side, official approval for the agreement does not derive from the mediators in Doha, but rather from the security cabinet and ultimately the government as a whole. The first meeting was originally slated for Thursday morning but was postponed and has now become uncertain.
This stalemate threatens to undermine the schedule set forth by Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Thani, who anticipated that the ceasefire could commence as early as Sunday. Meanwhile, the Israeli delegation, led by Mossad chief David Barnea, remains in Qatar and is expected to participate in meetings via video conference as reported by the Yediot Aharonot newspaper.
Despite the uncertainties, government vote numbers suggest that the agreement will likely receive approval, given that the opposition has largely been advocating for a cessation of hostilities. Only Netanyahu's two far-right coalition partners, Religious Zionism and Jewish Strength, have expressed opposition. Bezalel Smotrich, the leader of the former, described the agreement as 'bad and dangerous' but refrained from confirming whether he would exit the coalition if it passes—a key factor in the situation. In response, hundreds have begun protesting against the pact.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has called for Knesset members to ratify the agreement, emphasizing the moral imperative of recovering hostages. The proposed plan outlines a two-phase approach; the first phase will span six weeks, during which Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages, including women, children, the sick, and men over fifty. The initial releases include three civilian women, followed by four additional hostages after seven days. Once living hostages have been returned, the agreement stipulates that the remains of those who have died—numbers currently unclear but estimated to be a third—will be returned.
During this six-week period, Israel is also expected to initiate a gradual troop withdrawal from Gaza, release some Palestinian prisoners (who may need to go into exile), and allow displaced individuals from northern Gaza to return home.
In preparation for the potential return of hostages, the Israeli military has begun establishing a facility near Gaza to facilitate family reunions upon their release. It is anticipated that some hostages may require immediate medical attention, prompting their swift transfer to hospitals.
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