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The Israeli government announced early Saturday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s entire cabinet supported the Gaza ceasefire agreement, paving the way for the ceasefire in the 15-month war with Hamas to come into force on Sunday.
A U.S.-led mediator announced Wednesday that the two countries have agreed to a multi-stage deal to end the 15-month war and release 98 hostages still held by Palestinian militants.
However, official recognition of Israel was delayed due to disagreements with Hamas over the release of Palestinian prisoners and political tensions within the Netanyahu government.
The prime minister’s office announced early Friday that Netanyahu’s security cabinet supports the deal, which then needs approval by a majority of all government ministers.
An internal group of ministers “has given the green light after considering all diplomatic, security and humanitarian aspects and understands that the proposed agreement will support the achievement of war objectives.” Ta.
The government then met on Friday night, and the approval was not announced until around 1 a.m. local time on Saturday. The hours-long meeting took place well past the start of the Jewish Sabbath, when the Israeli government normally suspends all business.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier said that implementation of the deal and the release of hostages would begin on Sunday if both the security cabinet and the government agreed.
The Israeli government had previously accused Hamas of backtracking on the deal, but the prime minister’s office said Thursday night that Netanyahu had “received an update from the negotiating team that an agreement has been reached for the release of the hostages.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu is also trying to manage the emerging political crisis at home, with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Bengvir saying on Thursday night that he and the Jewish Power Party would be threatened if the “reckless” deal was approved. He announced that he would be leaving the ruling coalition.
Ben Gvir and his ultranationalist ally, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have repeatedly threatened to leave if Netanyahu’s government accepts a deal to end the war.
With Jewish Power’s departure, the coalition will have a two-seat majority in Israel’s parliament. It will also put pressure on Smotrich’s Religious Zionist Party to follow suit and leave, although prospects for it remaining in power appear increasingly likely during the first six weeks of the deal.
Ben Gvir and Smotrich do not have enough support in the government to defeat the deal itself, but if they pull far-right parties from the government, the coalition will lose its parliamentary majority.
Israel’s political system does not prevent the formation of a minority government, and the opposition says it is ready to support Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition if necessary, but the loss of two allies could shake the prime minister’s grip on power. , which could lead to early elections.
