FLASH
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A last-minute crisis is delaying the approval of a long-awaited agreement to halt fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the cabinet will not meet to approve the deal until Hamas withdraws from the new demands.
Netanyahu accused the Palestinian group, designated a terrorist organization by the US and EU, of violating parts of the agreement in an attempt to gain more concessions.
"Hamas rejects some parts of the agreement reached with international mediators and Israel in a clear attempt to secure as many last-minute concessions as possible. The Israeli cabinet will not meet until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement in its entirety ," Netanyahu says.
A senior Hamas official, Izzat al-Rashq, insisted that the militant group is committed to the ceasefire agreement, the signing of which was confirmed by US President Joe Biden himself.
Many Palestinians and relatives of Israeli hostages celebrated the long-awaited news of a ceasefire that was initially expected to last six weeks. Fighting on the ground, however, continued, and the hours following the announcement of the agreement brought a dramatic toll of casualties, with 73 Palestinians killed, including 20 children and 25 women.
Despite the joy and hope it has aroused, experts have asserted that a lasting ceasefire and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip remain major challenges, and the shadows of doubt are further heightened by a post by Haaretz columnist Alon Pinkas, according to whom Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his allies: "Don't worry, the ceasefire won't last in any case."
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas provides for the initial release of all women, minors under the age of 19, and men over the age of 50, who are being held hostage by Hamas, to continue negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire.
These negotiations are scheduled to begin on the 16th day of the first phase and are expected to be followed by the release of all remaining hostages, including Israeli soldiers.
An agreement is also expected to be reached for a permanent ceasefire and for the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip.
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