Agreement under threat

Israeli cabinet delays vote on hostage-ceasefire deal as Hamas reneges on parts

'Hamas has reneged on parts of the agreement reached with the mediators and Israel in an effort to extort last-minute concessions'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on August 18, 2024 (The Times of Israel: Screenshot/GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on August 18, 2024 (The Times of Israel: Screenshot/GPO)

Israel’s cabinet will not vote on the ceasefire-hostage deal on Thursday night Australia time due to Hamas allegedly changing its tune on elements of the agreement.

It was announced early on Thursday that a deal had finally been reached that would see 33 hostages released in its first phase.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement on Thursday saying it was not yet a done deal.

“Hamas has reneged on parts of the agreement reached with the mediators and Israel in an effort to extort last-minute concessions,” the statement said.

“The Israeli Cabinet will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement.”

Senior Hamas official Izzat el-Risheq denied the accusations that the terror group has reneged on some details of the hostage-ceasefire deal, and said it is committed to the agreement announced by mediators.

More to come.

WITH TIMES OF ISRAEL, REUTERS

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