Gaza ceasefire: Netanyahu backtracks, imposes new condition

 

TEL AVIV, Israel – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has thrown spinners into the Gaza ceasefire deal by backtracking this evening and putting forward new condition that must be met for him to proceed with the ceasefire deal.

He is however blaming Hamas for his change of mind.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is demanding names of all the 33 captives to be released.

“We will be unable to move forward with the framework until we receive the list of the hostages who will be released, as was agreed”, he said on X, adding that Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement. Hamas is solely responsible”, he said.

According to him, following an evaluation of all diplomatic, security and humanitarian aspects, and while understanding that the proposed deal supports the achievement of the objectives of the war, the Security Cabinet has recommended that the Government approve the proposed framework.

Netanyahu spoke as Security Cabinet discussion kicked off at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem.

Before the meeting, an operational security assessment was held on the implementation of the agreement, chaired by Prime Minister Netanyahu, together with the negotiating team which has returned from Doha, the PM office said.

“Pending approval by the Security Cabinet and the Government, and the agreement taking effect, the release of the hostages will be implemented according to the planned framework in which the hostages are expected to be released on Sunday”.