Israel’s Cabinet Delays Second Phase of Gaza Ceasefire and Prisoner Exchange
Netanyahu Faces Internal Pressure as Mediators Push for Progress in Ceasefire Talks with Hamas
Watan-The Israeli Ministerial Cabinet for Political and Security Affairs (the Cabinet) convened last night (Monday-Tuesday) to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire deal in Gaza and the exchange of prisoners and detainees with Hamas. However, no decisions were made, nor was any vote conducted, according to Israel’s public broadcaster “Kan Reshet Bet” on Tuesday.
Previously, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had pledged to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that negotiations on the second phase of the deal would not begin without Cabinet approval and a separate vote on the matter. Netanyahu also assured Cabinet ministers that the next phase would only be implemented on the condition of dismantling Hamas.
Cabinet Clause Delays Second Phase of Gaza Deal
In the Cabinet session that approved the deal with Hamas a few weeks ago, a clause was included at the request of Minister Smotrich and the Religious Zionism party, stipulating that any discussion on the second phase of the deal requires Cabinet approval. This clause became a condition for Religious Zionism to remain in the government.
This comes as mediating countries are making significant efforts to initiate talks on the second phase of the deal, which was supposed to begin on the 16th day of its implementation. However, the Israeli government is obstructing progress toward this phase despite pressure from mediators and families of Israeli detainees, who are urging their government to proceed with the deal and secure the return of all detainees.
Low Likelihood for Immediate Implementation of Gaza Ceasefire’s Second Phase
Meanwhile, Israel’s public broadcaster cited senior Israeli officials estimating that the likelihood of implementing the second phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal in the near future is low. Israeli officials told Kan 11, without being named, that Israel believes Hamas will not relinquish its weapons, and at the same time, there are no political prospects in Israel for moving to the second phase of the agreement without dismantling the Israeli government.
This comes despite the announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Whitcoff, on Sunday, that talks on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the prisoner exchange between Israel and the Palestinian resistance are ongoing this week.
He added that “the second phase of the agreement will definitely begin.” Whitcoff explained that negotiations will continue, noting that he had “very positive and constructive” phone conversations with Netanyahu, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad.
