Israel: Official Netanyahu Confirmation of Hostage Release Agreement – Threatened by Collapsed Government · Global Voices

The agreement on the release of hostages held or is now a fact according to Israel’s official confirmation. At the same time, the scenarios for the collapse of his government are intensifying. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office officially confirmed in the early morning hours that “an agreement was blocked on the release of hostages” held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas, adding that his government’s “security council” is scheduled to meet within the day to vote and approve it. CORVERSE “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed by the negotiating team that agreements were concluded on the release of hostages,” he says of his services. The cabinet in close composition is expected to meet today to examine it, added. But its approval was postponed for tomorrow Saturday, reports from the Israeli press, which underlines that this means that the first hostage releases will not take place until Monday rather than Sunday, as planned on the basis of what has been announced by countries that have intervened in the indirect negotiations. The families of the remaining 98 hostages have also been informed, according to the statement, which says the prime minister instructed the authorities to work together on preparations to receive the prisoners to be released under the agreement. “The State of Israel is committed to achieving all the objectives of the war, including the return of all our hostages – both the living and the dead,” adds Netanyahu’s office. Israeli media however point out that the agreement threatens to lead to a collapse of the Netanyahu government, as at least two far-right ministers, Itamar Ben Gvir (National Security) and Bezalel Smotrich (Economics), threaten to leave the government alliance, as did Avihai Chikli (Dispersor), unless the war against Hamas, which now runs on its 469th day, continues.