Israel still has not approved the 'ceasefire and hostage exchange': Will Netanyahu back out of the deal?

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is avoiding approving the ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement in Gaza, despite announcements by US President-elect Donald Trump and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani that the parties have reached a consensus.

Although US President-elect Donald Trump announced that a consensus had been reached on a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal in Gaza, Netanyahu postponed the meeting of the narrow security cabinet that was to convene for the agreement, accusing Hamas of 'not adhering to the agreements in the deal.'

Speaking to the Yedioth Ahronot newspaper, an unnamed Israeli official stated that they considered it unlikely that the narrow cabinet meeting where the agreement would be voted on would take place on Thursday.

Despite this, the Israeli official shared the view that the agreement would come into effect on the day and time announced by Qatar.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced the details of the agreement in a statement on January 16, stating that the ceasefire would begin on Sunday

NETANYAHU ACCUSED HAMAS OF BREAKING THE DEAL

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office accused the Palestinian group of changing the draft, claiming that Hamas had backed out of certain articles in the Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement.

In contrast, Hamas Political Bureau member Izzat al-Rishq underscored that the movement remains committed to the agreement announced by the mediators.

In a report by The Times of Israel, it was stated that the Israeli negotiating team is still discussing the disputes over the ceasefire and hostage exchange in Gaza in Doha, and that there is disagreement over the names of the Palestinian prisoners to be released and some other details.

Behind-the-scenes information reflected in the Israeli press suggests that Prime Minister Netanyahu is waiting for the Israeli delegation, which is continuing negotiations on the details of the agreement, to return to the country.

Similarly, it was commented that Netanyahu is trying to persuade his far-right coalition partners, who have threatened to topple the government if an agreement is reached.

According to reports in the international press, Netanyahu may be prolonging the war in Gaza to avoid losing his seat as prime minister

IS HE AFRAID OF THE GOVERNMENT FALLING?

It is known that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure from far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who are directly opposed to the announced Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement.

It has also been reported in the press that a delay has postponed Israel's official approval of the agreement due to Netanyahu's concerns about the far-right Jewish Power and Religious Zionism parties withdrawing from the government.

Furthermore, in a report by Channel 12 television citing Israeli officials, it was stated that the security cabinet meeting where the agreement would be voted on is 'expected to be tense' due to the opposition of far-right Finance Minister Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had invited the other far-right figure in the coalition, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, to cooperate in blocking the Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement.

However, the far-right Religious Zionism Party gave a 'conditional' green light today for the first phase of the agreement with Hamas. The far-right party listed among its conditions for 'remaining in the government' that attacks on Gaza resume with the 'goal of destroying Hamas' after the first phase of the ceasefire and the mutual hostage exchanges are completed.

Finance Minister Smotrich posted on the X platform yesterday, stating that he would try to topple the government if the ceasefire agreement is approved by Netanyahu