Fri Jan 17 03:18:49 UTC 2025: ## Last-Minute Dispute Delays Gaza Ceasefire Deal

**Tel Aviv, Israel –** A long-awaited ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, announced Wednesday, faces a significant delay due to a last-minute dispute, raising concerns about the fragile peace process. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postponed a planned Thursday Cabinet vote on the deal, blaming Hamas for reneging on unspecified parts of the agreement. While world leaders and war-weary Palestinians welcomed the deal, Israeli airstrikes continued, killing at least 72 Palestinians on Thursday alone.

The disagreement centers around the deployment of Israeli forces in the Philadelphi corridor, according to Israeli government spokesman David Mencer. Hamas denies these claims, asserting its commitment to the ceasefire. However, the delay also reflects internal political struggles within Netanyahu’s coalition government, which is deeply divided over the terms of the deal.

Hardline National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to resign if the ceasefire is approved, calling it “reckless.” His departure could significantly weaken Netanyahu’s already tenuous majority in the Knesset. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also opposes the deal and has demanded assurances of a resumed war against Hamas.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty urged both sides to implement the ceasefire without delay. The agreement includes the phased release of hostages held in Gaza, a pause in fighting, and a potential path to ending the 15-month conflict that has devastated Gaza and caused widespread international condemnation. The deal would see the release of 33 hostages in the first phase, with the remainder to be released in a second, more complicated phase.

Despite the announced ceasefire, intense Israeli bombardments continued overnight, causing further casualties. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that at least 72 people were killed in Thursday’s strikes alone, with the actual number likely higher. The Israeli military stated it targeted approximately 50 militant sites.

The 15-month conflict, triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, has resulted in the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians and around 1,200 Israelis. The war has also displaced approximately 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million population, leaving hundreds of thousands facing hunger and disease. While the deal offers hope, the ongoing violence and political instability cast a shadow over its potential success. The long-term future of Gaza, including its governance and reconstruction, remains uncertain.

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