Netanyahu: Hamas has violated some terms of the ceasefire agreement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Hamas militant group on Thursday, January 17, of violating some terms of the ceasefire agreement, while stating that the vote on this agreement in the Israeli security cabinet has been postponed to Friday, January 18. The vote was initially scheduled for Thursday. Despite accusing Hamas of creating a crisis at the last minute, Netanyahu did not specify which part of the agreement was violated. His remarks came after Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister and leader of one of the parties in the Israeli coalition cabinet, reiterated his opposition to this agreement, stating that his party's continued membership in Netanyahu's coalition government depends on the continuation of the war and the complete military defeat of Hamas. In this context, the Associated Press reported that it is still unclear whether Netanyahu's statements are merely an attempt to maintain his coalition government or if the ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages are genuinely at risk. Meanwhile, a Hamas official told the Associated Press that the group has adhered to the agreement. On the other hand, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed confidence on Thursday in Washington regarding the implementation of the agreement on Sunday, January 30. The news agency also reported that at least 72 people were killed following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Additionally, U.S. officials stated that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza resulted from '96 hours of intensive negotiations.' Israel has previously accused Hamas, a group supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, of using civilians as human shields. The news of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by Hamas was released on Wednesday, January 25, amid reports from Reuters citing U.S. officials that the agreement was reached after 96 hours of intensive negotiations in Doha, the capital of Qatar. This agreement was facilitated by American, Egyptian, and Qatari diplomats who managed to convince Israel and Hamas to finalize it. According to Reuters, a senior Biden administration official stated that the presence of Steve Witkoff, a representative of President-elect Donald Trump in Middle Eastern affairs, was one of the main factors in achieving this agreement. The U.S. negotiating team was led by Robert McGurk, Biden's representative for Middle Eastern affairs, who had been in the region since January 5 and was working on what officials described as 'a very complex agreement.' According to informed sources, this agreement gained momentum following repeated warnings from Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, who stated that if hostages were not released before his inauguration ceremony on January 20, there would be a 'heavy price' to pay in the Middle East. According to a U.S. government official, this agreement accelerated after months of scattered negotiations, following an agreement between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in November regarding a ceasefire, with negotiations peaking in the 96 hours leading up to the announcement of the ceasefire. A major obstacle in these negotiations was Hamas's refusal to disclose the exact number of hostages and to determine which hostages would be released in the first phase of the agreement. In the October 7 attack by Hamas on southern Israel, more than 250 people, including the elderly, women, and children, were taken hostage to Gaza. In this attack, 1,200 people were also killed, most of whom were civilians. According to Israeli estimates, 94 hostages are still held by Hamas, and at least 34 of them have lost their lives. According to this report, at the end of the previous calendar year, Hamas agreed to provide a list of hostages, which expedited the finalization process of the agreement for the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The main points of this agreement include ceasefire conditions, the process of releasing hostages, the number of released Palestinian prisoners, and future humanitarian aid to Gaza. The presence of Steve Witkoff alongside Robert McGurk was described as 'a fruitful collaboration for finalizing the details.' Mr. Witkoff, a close investor to Trump, pressured Netanyahu to quickly accept the agreement during his visit to Israel. By 3 a.m. on Wednesday, negotiations between McGurk, Egyptian and Qatari mediators, and the Israeli team continued on the second floor of the negotiation venue, while Hamas representatives were on the ground floor. The United States hopes that the implementation of this agreement will begin on Sunday, January 30, one day before Donald Trump's presidency begins. This agreement includes a six-week ceasefire, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the release of Hamas hostages, and the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. Additionally, the agreement stipulates that during the ceasefire period, 600 trucks of humanitarian aid will enter Gaza daily. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, the Israeli war in Gaza has so far left more than 46,000 dead and created a severe humanitarian crisis. Hamas officials do not distinguish between militants and civilians. Meanwhile, Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields. The United States, the European Union, Israel, and several other countries and international organizations classify Hamas as a terrorist group. Global reactions to the Gaza ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages include the High Commissioner for Human Rights describing the Gaza ceasefire as 'reassuring.' Netanyahu thanked Trump and Biden for their roles in the 'Gaza ceasefire agreement.' The United Nations stated that it can assist during the Gaza ceasefire to the extent of the field conditions.