Hamas blamed for last-minute crisis in ceasefire deal

Israeli authorities accused Hamas on Thursday of causing a "last-minute crisis" by reneging on certain terms of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement announced the previous day by Qatari, Egyptian, and American mediators.

According to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, "Hamas is retracting certain points of the agreement reached with the mediators and Israel in an attempt to extort last-minute concessions." 

The statement stressed that Israel's Security Cabinet would not convene to approve the deal until mediators confirm that Hamas has agreed to all aspects of the agreement.

The agreement, which aimed to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, was seen as a critical step toward de-escalation. However, the alleged reversal by Hamas has introduced new uncertainty, stalling progress on implementing the deal.

Qatar, Egypt, and the United States continue their mediation efforts to bridge the gap between both sides and restore the integrity of the agreement. The situation remains tense as Israel awaits confirmation that Hamas will fully comply with the negotiated terms.

This latest development casts doubt over the fragile ceasefire efforts and raises concerns about the broader stability of the region.