Fri Jan 17 01:42:55 UTC 2025: ## Gaza Ceasefire Deal in Jeopardy After Israel Accuses Hamas of Backtracking

**JERUSALEM/GAZA CITY** – A fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Qatar and the United States, hangs in the balance after Israel accused Hamas of violating the terms. Following the announcement of the deal, which was intended to begin Sunday and include a prisoner exchange, Israel launched fresh airstrikes in Gaza, killing at least 73 and wounding hundreds.

The agreement, reached after months of intense negotiations, would see the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office alleges Hamas has reneged on parts of the deal, attempting to secure last-minute concessions. As a result, the Israeli cabinet will not vote on the agreement until mediators confirm Hamas’s full acceptance of all terms. Hamas denies these accusations.

The airstrikes, which occurred after the initial announcement, cast a shadow over the celebrations in both Israel and Gaza. While many welcomed the prospect of a truce and the return of hostages, the renewed violence sparked outrage and grief. Saeed Alloush, a Gaza resident, described his family’s joy turning to sorrow after overnight strikes killed dozens of his relatives. Similar mixed emotions were expressed in Israel, where the return of hostages is tempered by the devastating loss of life.

The deal faces further challenges within Israel’s ruling coalition. Two far-right ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, have publicly opposed the agreement, raising concerns about its ratification. Israeli media reports suggest internal disagreements within the coalition are delaying the vote.

President Joe Biden expressed satisfaction with the agreement, calling the negotiations some of the toughest of his career. He emphasized the crucial role of humanitarian aid for Gaza, a sentiment echoed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and UNRWA. President-elect Donald Trump also hailed the ceasefire agreement on social media.

The conflict, triggered by a deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has claimed over 46,788 lives in Gaza and 1,210 in Israel, according to official figures. The ongoing situation remains volatile, with the fate of the ceasefire agreement uncertain pending Hamas’s response and the Israeli cabinet’s vote. International mediators continue to work to ensure the deal’s full implementation.

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