Israeli diplomatic source insists last details of hostage-ceasefire deal still haven’t been finalized
Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
After a minister said a deal had finally been clinched and US sources indicated the gaps had been closed, an Israeli diplomatic source continues to insist that the last details of a hostage release deal have not been finalized.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu is adamant on finalizing all the details of the agreement before he brings it to the approval of the cabinet and the government,” the source tells reporters, claiming that Israel forced Hamas to back down from last-minute demands over the Philadelphi Corridor. Earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office said there had also been a disagreement on the identities of some of the Palestinian prisoners set to be released.
“This insistence seems to be bearing fruit, but until things are fully agreed upon, Netanyahu will not convene the cabinet and the government,” the source says.
Earlier this evening, Shas leader Aryeh Deri said he had received word that the final deal had been agreed upon and the cabinet would soon convene. Hebrew media reports say that the cabinet is expected to meet tomorrow morning and the deal is still set to go into effect on Sunday.
Sources have suggested that the delay in approval is linked in part to the threat by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to quit the coalition if the deal is approved.