agreement with Hamas to release hostages was reached after final details

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that an agreement to return hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip had been reached and called a meeting of his security cabinet to approve it this Friday, 17th.

Although Qatar and the United States had already announced the agreement on Wednesday, the 15th, Netanyahu’s office indicated that the “final details” were still being finalized. The Israeli government had stated that “there were last-minute problems” in the negotiations.

Even so, the agreement still needs to be formally ratified by the Israeli cabinet. Netanyahu’s statement appeared to pave the way for approval of the deal, which would pause fighting in the Gaza Strip and see dozens of hostages held by terrorists in Gaza released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

It would also allow hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to the remains of their homes in Gaza.

Earlier this Thursday, the 16th, Netanyahu’s office had accused Hamas of reneging on parts of the agreement in an attempt to obtain more concessions – without specifying which parts.

“Hamas is backing away from understandings and creating a last-minute crisis that prevents a deal,” Netanyahu’s office said.

Hamas denied the allegations, with Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, saying the militant group “is committed to the ceasefire agreement, which was announced by the mediators.”

After postponing the vote, Netanyahu said he will meet his security cabinet this Friday, the 17th, and then the government to approve the agreement. Israeli airstrikes, meanwhile, have killed at least 72 people in the war-torn territory.

The Israeli prime minister faces intense domestic pressure to bring back the hostages, whose families have pleaded with Netanyahu to prioritize the release of their loved ones.

On the other hand, there is internal pressure from his coalition, with members of the far right threatening to resign if the text were approved. (With international agencies).