Israel’s Netanyahu Delays Gaza Ceasefire Vote Amid Hamas Accusations, Despite Optimism from Blinken

A planned Israeli cabinet meeting to ratify a ceasefire deal with Hamas in Gaza has been postponed, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the agreement slated to begin Sunday, Al Jazeera reports.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Thursday that his cabinet would not convene until mediators confirm Hamas has accepted all aspects of the deal, accusing the Palestinian group of attempting to “extort last minute concessions.”

“Hamas reneges on parts of the agreement reached with the mediators and Israel in an effort to extort last minute concessions,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement. “The Israeli cabinet will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement.”

This announcement came despite earlier reports that the Israeli cabinet was expected to meet Thursday morning to approve the ceasefire, with the pause in fighting set to take effect this coming Sunday.

Hamas, however, has publicly maintained its commitment to the agreement. Senior Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq issued a statement affirming the group’s adherence to the ceasefire deal announced by mediators on Wednesday.

The delay underscores the delicate political balance Netanyahu is navigating. He faces mounting domestic pressure to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, while also contending with threats from his far-right coalition partners who are against any substantial concessions to Hamas.

Centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Netanyahu not to withdraw from the deal, reaffirming his support for the proposed ceasefire.

Despite the uncertainty, a report from Israeli outlet Haaretz indicated that the Israeli security cabinet is now scheduled to meet Friday morning to approve the ceasefire deal. Following this meeting, the full cabinet is expected to vote, though ministers have yet to be officially summoned for discussions, according to the report, citing a senior Israeli source.

Adding to the sense of cautious optimism, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his confidence that the ceasefire agreement would still come into effect on Sunday.

“I am confident, and I fully expect that implementation will begin, as we said, on Sunday,” Blinken told reporters in Washington, D.C.