Israel delays vote on Gaza ceasefire claiming Hamas has reneged on parts of deal

A ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday is facing uncertainty after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed a cabinet vote on the proposal. The postponement follows Israeli claims that Hamas has not adhered to certain terms of the deal—an accusation Hamas has strongly denied.

“There isn’t any deal at the moment,” stated Omer Dostri, spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister, in a message to the New York Times.

The agreement, brokered by the Biden administration with assistance from the incoming Trump administration and Egyptian and Qatari mediators, aims to halt hostilities. Efforts are underway to address the final hurdles.

“We’re confident that we’ll resolve these last-minute issues and move forward,” said John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, during a televised interview.

The proposed deal includes a six-week ceasefire starting Sunday, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the release of 33 Israeli hostages, and approximately 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. It also prioritizes the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

For the agreement to take effect, Israel’s cabinet must approve it. However, critics suggest that securing approval may prove challenging, given opposition from right-wing factions that resist ending the conflict.