Israel accuses Hamas of 'reneging' on parts of Gaza deal

Israel on Thursday accused Hamas of backtracking on elements of the Gaza ceasefire deal announced the previous day, delaying cabinet approval of the agreement until Hamas's full acceptance is confirmed.

“Hamas has reneged on parts of the agreement reached with the mediators and Israel in an effort to extort last-minute concessions,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement, describing the situation as a "last-minute crisis."

People protest a ceasefire deal that they think may weaken Israel's future security, in Jerusalem, January 16, 2025. Reuters

The statement did not specify which provisions of the deal were in dispute but emphasized that the Israeli cabinet "will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement."

However, two senior Hamas leaders rejected Israeli allegations that the Palestinian group was backtracking on elements of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal announced the day before.

"There is no basis to (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's claims about the movement backtracking from terms in the ceasefire agreement," one Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, told AFP.

Hamas political bureau member Izzat al-Rishq said separately in a statement that: "Hamas is committed to the ceasefire agreement, which was announced by the mediators."

On Wednesday, key mediator Qatar announced that Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement governing Gaza, had agreed to a ceasefire starting Sunday.

The deal includes a framework for a hostage and prisoner exchange after 15 months of conflict.

The United States also announced the deal, which closely follows a blueprint proposed by President Joe Biden in May 2024.

Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani confirmed that the agreement's first 42-day phase will involve the release of 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

The ceasefire deal

The ceasefire agreement is set to progress in three phases, starting with a six-week truce on Sunday.

Phase one includes partial Israeli troop withdrawal, the exchange of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, and 33 Israeli hostages.

Subsequent phases will involve the release of remaining hostages, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a reconstruction plan under international supervision, with details to be negotiated during the first phase.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 7, 2023, Hamas attack has killed over 46,000 people, created a massive humanitarian crisis, and widespread displacement.

Hamas’ cross-border raid into Israeli territory claimed 1,200 lives. It also took more than 250 people captive.