Netanyahu accuses Hamas of trying for ‘last-minute concessions’ in truce deal | First Thing
Share:
Hamas said it was committed to the terms of the deal announced on Wednesday. Plus, the climate crisis could cause economic growth to fall ‘50% over 20 years’. Good morning. Just hours after the mediating power Qatar confirmed that Hamas and Israel had agreed to a truce, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office accused the militant group of trying to gain “last-minute concessions”, with Israel’s security cabinet delaying a meeting to approve the deal.
![[Joe Biden delivering his farewell speech from the Oval Office ]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/7e9e84eeab18ca29101a594a3e5bd9315f37adb5/0_211_4505_2705/master/4505.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
But following Israel’s statement, Hamas said it was committed to the ceasefire terms announced on Wednesday. The deal would result in a first batch of 33 hostages being released on Sunday in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails, and wounded Gazans being allowed to leave for medical treatment.
![[A firefighter walks through a neighborhood devastated by fire in Los Angeles on Tuesday.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a35ce5664a08e5955bb4ebb71ec1fed56dd02110/0_200_6000_3600/master/6000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
What’s the latest in the fighting? At least 50 people have been killed since dawn by Israeli airstrikes, Palestinian news sources report. Joe Biden used his farewell address to the nation to warn that “oligarchy is taking shape in America” and threatens to undo the foundations of the nation’s democracy.
![[Relatives and friends protest near the gold mine where workers are trapped in Stilfontein, South Africa.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a5631f15864019b747b19a6c2a08ba6e9a1c3b79/0_208_6240_3744/master/6240.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead,” Biden said from the Oval Office Wednesday.
![[A woman walks through a flooded street in Valencia, Spain.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b561dbe1b489afa3c5d1348b0fb1d0960ad2415f/0_115_5000_3002/master/5000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Biden laid out other urgent threats to undermine US democracy, including a “crumbling” free press, rising disinformation and dark money in politics. What did he say powerful interests could do? He pointed to the risks of the ultra-rich undoing reversing progress on tackling the climate crisis.
![[John F Kennedy greeting crowds in 1960.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/9fcf793877a916d6740e377ec83b67d9c0896fbc/0_203_4200_2521/master/4200.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
