Israel Cabinet Votes on Hamas Deal Postponed as Last-Minute Crisis Hits

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced a delay in the Cabinet vote on the controversial deal with Hamas. The delay is due to escalating tensions and unresolved disputes surrounding the deal’s terms. The move came at a time when the government of PM Benjamin Netanyahu was set to vote on the controversial deal that was to be held yesterday.

Hamas Walks Back on Key Deal Terms

In a statement on Thursday, the Israeli PMO explained that Hamas had backtracked on certain understandings reached during negotiations, forcing the delay of the Cabinet votes. The voting process was intended to follow a two-step procedure. First, the Security Cabinet would review and approve the deal, and then the full Cabinet would hold its vote. However, due to the ongoing negotiations, it is unclear whether the votes will occur as planned.

The delay is linked to a “last-minute crisis” in the deal’s final details. The PMO stated that this crisis was caused by Hamas’s demands. These demands were related to the identity of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for hostages held in Gaza. According to reports, Hamas now insists on having the veto power for deciding which prisoner to release: a mass murderer, for example, who they view as a terrorist icon. These demands directly counter an explicit stipulation that was meant to place veto power in Israel over such releases. The PMO has confirmed that Israel’s negotiation team has been instructed to spurn these last-minute demands.

Opposition in the Far-Right

This makes the crisis even more complicated, as there is also political opposition from Israel’s far-right. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a member of Netanyahu’s coalition, has expressed strong opposition to the deal. He stated that he will pull his Religious Zionism party out of the government if the deal is approved. Smotrich gathered at a party conference to make a collective decision. Most members, such as MP Zvi Sukkot, would resign from the government. Sukkot added that “our mission is not just to keep the power, but to change the DNA of the State of Israel.”

Other than Smotrich, opponents of the deal include extremist National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Ben Gvir, a member of the Religious Zionism party, has threatened to quit the government if the agreement goes ahead. Such political opposition grows, casting more uncertainty into the deal. Netanyahu may now be waiting for a final word from Smotrich’s party before proceeding to put the agreement to a Cabinet vote.

70 Palestinians Killed amid Ceasefire Deal Delay

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 70 people in Gaza overnight and throughout Thursday, according to Reuters. The strikes occurred hours after a prospective ceasefire and hostage release deal was announced. This deal aims to end 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas, which has devastated Gaza and triggered a humanitarian crisis.

The deal is yet to be formally agreed, with Israel’s security cabinet delaying a planned Thursday morning meeting. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said “Hamas reneges on parts of the agreement reached with the mediators and Israel in an effort to extort last minute concessions. The Israeli cabinet will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement.”