The Israeli government announced Thursday morning it had postponed its cabinet meeting, stating it would not convene until mediators confirm Hamas has agreed to all terms of a proposed hostage release deal. The meeting was expected to formally approve the deal between the parties. In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office accused Hamas of backing out of earlier agreements. “Hamas is reneging on the understandings and creating a last-minute crisis that is preventing an agreement,” the office added. The development comes after international mediators, including Qatar and US officials, announced that a deal was reached. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that unresolved issues remain, preventing Israel from moving forward. NN Deal No Deal
Netanyahu claims Hamas backtracked on part of deal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of backtracking on an agreement concerning prisoner release, AP reported. According to the ceasefire deal, Hamas is supposed to release dozens of Israeli hostages in exchange for Israel releasing several hundred Palestinian prisoners, as well as allowing the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the conflict in Gaza to return to their homes. Netanyahu stated that Hamas is now backtracking on a part of the agreement that would give Israel the power to veto the release of some prisoners. Netanyahu affirmed that he has instructed the Israeli negotiators to push for the earlier agreement to be honored.
Hamas has yet to issue a statement on the matter.