Netanyahu: “Israel and Hamas resolve differences delaying ceasefire agreement”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a meeting of Israel’s political security cabinet on Friday to approve a Gaza ceasefire deal after resolving remaining differences between Israeli and Hamas negotiators.

Mr. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement early Friday that he had ordered the meeting to approve the deal later in the day.

Lawmakers will then “meet to approve the deal,” the statement said, without specifying a date.

A security cabinet vote is expected on Thursday delayed by last-minute disputes Disagreements over the deal have emerged with Hamas and within Mr. Netanyahu’s ruling coalition.

The prime minister’s office said the families of the hostages had been informed of the deal, and he instructed the government agency responsible for the hostages to prepare to receive the captives upon their return to Israel.

“The State of Israel is committed to achieving all of the objectives of the war, including the return of all our hostages, both living and dead,” the statement read.

A vocal member of Mr. Netanyahu’s ruling coalition took a stand against the ceasefire deal late on Thursday. Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened to resign and withdraw his party from the Israeli government if the Cabinet of Ministers votes to approve the temporary ceasefire agreement.

Mr Ben-Gvir said the ceasefire would allow Hamas to remain in power in Gaza: “This deal will effectively erase the gains of the war.”

While Mr. Ben-Gvir’s threat could destabilize Mr. Netanyahu’s coalition at a critical time, the ceasefire deal, which would also free hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners in Israel, was unlikely to be derailed. Mr Netanyahu would still have a 62-seat majority in the 120-member parliament.

Opposition lawmakers have vowed to support Mr. Netanyahu’s call for a ceasefire if more hardline allies emerge from the coalition. “This is more important than all the differences between us,” said Yair Lapid, the leader of the parliamentary opposition.

Mr Netanyahu’s announcement suggests the ceasefire could still take effect by the end of this week. Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken said Thursday that he was confident the agreement would go into effect on Sunday as planned.

President Biden and other mediators announced Wednesday that Israeli and Hamas negotiators in Qatar had reached an agreement to end the fighting and release hostages being held in Gaza. Troubles on Thursday highlighted the volatility of the truce, prompting fears of a further delay.

President-elect Donald J. Trump, who pressed the parties to reach a deal ahead of his inauguration on Monday, repeated his warning that he wanted the deal closed. before taking office in a podcast interview on Thursday. He told host Dan Bongino, “it’s better to do it.” In December, weeks after his re-election, Mr Trump said there would be “hell to pay” if there was no deal on the ceasefire and hostages.