Netanyahu says ‘last-minute crisis’ with Hamas holding up approval of Gaza truce and hostage deal as terror group posts shocking ‘pride’ video
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday that the long-awaited cease-fire deal is on hold because of a “last-minute crisis” — as Israel shared a new video of Hamas boasting of its “pride” at the Oct. 7 terror attack and threats of ongoing violence.
Netanyahu delayed his cabinet voting Thursday on approving the historic deal, accusing Hamas of “a last-minute blackmail attempt.”
“Israel will not set a date for a cabinet and government meeting until the mediators announce that Hamas has approved all the details of the agreement,” his office said.
In part, that included the terror group objecting to a part of the agreement that gave Israel the right to refuse the release of certain Palestinian prisoners accused of murders.
“Hamas is demanding that it determine the identity of the terrorists to be released,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, vowing to stand firm on the earlier agreement.
Izzat al-Rashq, a senior Hamas official, denied it, saying the terror group remained “committed” to the long-awaited agreement announced Wednesday.
However, Israel shared a video early Thursday of Hamas leader Khalil al-Haya seemingly responding to the deal by expressing ongoing commitment to the violence that led to the Oct. 7 slaughter.
“What occurred on October 7 — a miraculous military and security achievement by the elite Qassam Brigades — will remain a source of pride for our people,” al-Haya said in the speech, according to a translated video shared by Israeli diplomat David Saranga.
“It struck the heart of the enemy and will lead, Allah willing, to the restoration of all our rights,” he said — accusing Israel of “genocidal wars, Nazi crimes, and acts of inhumanity,” according to the translation.
“We will never forget or forgive those who participated in this genocide … Justice will be served to these criminals, even if delayed,” he was quoted as saying.
“Our enemy will see no moment of weakness or surrender from us.”
While Thursday’s cabinet vote is delayed, mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the US are expected to meet in Cairo Thursday for additional debate on the deal, which has been in indirect talks for about a year.
In the last day, at least 48 people were killed in the Gaza Strip by Israeli strikes, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. However, during previous conflicts, both sides ramped up military operations in the days leading up to cease-fires to project strength.
Ongoing talks this week led to reports that Hamas accepted a draft agreement of a cease-fire deal that would soon see the release of an initial group of 33 hostages.
The deal, which requires approval from Israel’s cabinet and government, would go into effect Sunday if implemented — just a day before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
The plan outlines a six-week initial cease-fire with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed over the past 15 months.
The deal would also bring a surge of humanitarian aid to help the population living within the battered Gaza Strip.
Qatar, a key mediator in the talks, said Israel and Hamas were at the “closest point” yet to compromising.
The plan, a three-phase agreement set out by the US and endorsed by the UN Security Council, would swap 33 hostages over six weeks for potentially hundreds of imprisoned Palestinian women and children.
