Israel security cabinet to meet on ceasefire deal as strikes on Gaza continue
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Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says security cabinet will convene on Friday amid concerns the delay could push back the start of the ceasefire. Israel’s security cabinet will meet on Friday after negotiators reached a deal for the release of hostages as part of a Gaza ceasefire with Hamas, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has said.
In Gaza itself, Israeli warplanes kept up intense strikes, and Palestinian authorities said late on Thursday that at least 86 people had been killed in the day after the truce was unveiled. Earlier on Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had attacked approximately 50 terrorist targets throughout the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours.
Israel delayed meetings expected on Thursday when the cabinet was to vote on the pact, with longstanding divisions apparent among ministers. Netanyahu said his cabinet would not meet until “Hamas accepts all elements of the agreement”, in a move that threatened to derail months of work to end the brutal 15-month conflict.
The unexpected delay sparked fears that last-minute disagreements between Israel and Hamas or hardline opposition could still scuttle the deal. But in the early hours of Friday, Netanyahu’s office suggested approval was imminent. “Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed by the negotiating team that agreements have been reached on a deal to release the hostages,” his office said in a statement.
