Israel and Hamas Work Out Differences That Had Delayed Cease-Fire Deal, Netanyahu Says
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a meeting of Israel’s political security cabinet on Friday to approve the Gaza cease-fire deal after Israeli and Hamas negotiators worked out their remaining differences.Mr.Netanyahu’s office said in a statement early Friday that he had ordered the meeting to approve the deal for later in the day.Lawmakers would later “convene to approve the deal,” the statement said, without specifying the day.A security cabinet vote that had been expected on Thursday was delayed by last-minute disputes with Hamas and rifts over the agreement that emerged inside Mr.
Netanyahu’s governing coalition.The prime minister’s office said that the families of hostages had been informed of the agreement and that he had instructed the government authority responsible for the hostages to prepare to receive the captives upon their return to Israel.“The state of Israel is committed to achieving all the goals of the war, including the return of all our hostages — both the living and the dead,” the statement said.A vocal member of Mr.Netanyahu’s governing coalition took a stand against a cease-fire deal late on Thursday.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s hard-line national security minister, threatened to resign and remove his party from the Israeli government if the cabinet voted to approve the provisional cease-fire deal.“This deal would effectively erase the achievements of the war,” said Mr.Ben-Gvir, adding that the cease-fire would leave Hamas in power in Gaza.While Mr.
Ben-Gvir’s threat could destabilize Mr.Netanyahu’s coalition at a critical time, it was unlikely to scuttle the cease-fire deal, which would also free hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
Mr.Netanyahu would still command a majority of 62 seats in the 120-member Parliament.Opposition lawmakers have pledged to support Mr.
Netanyahu’s push for a cease-fire if more hard-line allies leave the coalition.“This is more important than all t...