Netanyahu holding off on hostage deal announcement over ‘coalition politics,’ says official not from PM’s office

An Israeli official not from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office suggests that the premier is making announcements about breakdowns in negotiations and holding off on announcing the agreement his negotiating team signed off on yesterday while he works to keep his coalition intact.

Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partner National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has threatened to bolt the government if the deal announced yesterday is approved, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is said to be weighing a similar move.

The Israeli official acknowledges to The Times of Israel that details are still being finalized in negotiations but insists that the disagreements are relatively minor and will be solved in the coming hours.

Asked to explain Netanyahu’s conduct since the deal was announced, the Israeli official chalks it up to “coalition politics.”