Netanyahu clears way for Israeli approval of agreement with Hamas: Deal to release hostages reached
Benjamin Netanyahu has cleared Israel's approval of the deal reached with Hamas for a ceasefire and release of hostages. Earlier, his office said that the deal was facing last minute hiccups and accused Hamas of a last-minute dispute.
by Edited By: Mohit Pandey · India TVIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday issued a statement saying the deal to return hostages held in the Gaza Strip has been reached. Netanyahu's statement comes after his office said there were last-minute hiccups in finalising the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
As latest development clears the way for Israeli approval of the deal, the Gaza ceasefire will end the 15-month conflict between Israel and Hamas and facilitate the release of hostages held by militants.
Netanyahu instructs special task force to receive hostages
Netanyahu said that a special task force had been instructed to receive the hostages returning from Gaza and added that the families of the hostages were informed about the deal. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Israeli airstrikes killed 72 people in Gaza.
On Thursday, Israel delayed a vote on the ceasefire and accused Hamas of a last-minute dispute, leading to rising tensions in Netanyahu's government coalition. It raised questions over the implementation of the deal just a day after US President Joe Biden and key mediator Qatar announced it was complete.
Netanyahu's office accuses Hamas of attempting to gain concessions
Netanyahu's office accused Hamas of reneging on parts of the agreement as it seeks to gain further concessions. However, the PM's office did not specify which parts. In a statement, Netanyahu's office said, "Hamas is backing out of the understandings and creating a last-minute crisis that prevents a settlement ", Netanyahu's office said.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has drawn fierce resistance from Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners. The coalition's reaction is crucial as Netanyahu's continuation in power depends upon its support. To make matters worse for the Israeli PM, hardline national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, threatened to quit the government if Israel approved the ceasefire.
Background of the Israel-Hamas conflict
Hamas triggered the war with its October 7, 2023, cross-border attack into Israel that killed some 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage.
Israel responded with a devastating offensive that has killed over 46,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not distinguish between civilians and militants but say women and children make up more than half of those killed.
Moreover, Netanyahu said the meeting to approve the long-awaited hostage deal will be held on Friday.