The general cabinet failed to reach an official decision regarding the demands presented by Hamas due to the meeting being scheduled too close to the beginning of Shabbat, Israeli media sources reported on Friday.
According to a report by Israeli news source N12, the decision was originally meant to be agreed upon by the small cabinet, which consists of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Minister-without-portfolio Benny Gantz, as well as three observers – Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, former Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, and leader of Shas party Arye Deri.
הערב פורסם באולפן שישי: גורמים בכירים שבדיונים מספרים כי נתניהו ניסה לעשות הכול כדי לדחות את קבלת ההחלטה בנוגע למנדט של המשלחת, וטען שצריך להעביר את ההחלטה לקבינט הרחב, כל חברי הקבינט המצומצם טענו שאין סיבה. כשהקבינט המורחב כונס, הוא פוזר לפני כניסת שבת בלי החלטות@yaronavraham
— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) March 15, 2024
The report stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the small cabinet from reaching an agreement, while claiming that the decision must be presented to the general cabinet.
Allegedly, the other members disagreed, but the meeting was extended to the general cabinet anyway. By the time the general cabinet convened, it was reportedly too close to Shabbat and the meeting was adjourned without a decision.
Also, multiple Israeli media sources reported that not every member of the cabinet had an opportunity to speak. Additionally, Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly exited the meeting twice to partake in interviews, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated that he was only willing to continue discussion while the prime minister was present.
ישיבת הקבינט המדיני-ביטחוני שהתקיימה בסמוך לשבת והסתיימה בשל השעה והשבת המתקרבת . הדיון על תשובת חמאס וקביעת העמדה הישאלית בנוגע לעסקת חטופים החל אך לא הושלם מחוסר זמן. יפעת שאשא ביטון מתחה ביקורת על כך שישיבת הקבינט כה חשובה נקבעה לצהרי יום שישי. גדעון סער עקץ :” שימו לב כי…
— Anna Rayva-Barsky אנה ברסקי (@AnnaBarskiy) March 15, 2024
The general cabinet is expected to resume the meeting and come to a final decision
The general cabinet will allegedly meet either Saturday evening or Sunday morning to finish the discussion and make a final decision regarding the new demands. Netanyahu is also expected to meet with advisors regarding expanding the role of the Israeli delegation for negotiation talks in Qatar.
Leader of the Yesh Atid party, Yair Lapid commented on the development saying, “If this isn’t pikuach nefesh, [the Jewish principle that saving a life is more important than anything, even keeping Shabbat] then what is?”
אם זה לא פיקוח נפש, מהו פיקוח נפש? pic.twitter.com/6NH5WLmizk
— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) March 15, 2024
The demands in question were presented to Israeli officials via Qatari mediators on Thursday. The official demands by Hamas have yet to be confirmed by Israeli officials, but mixed reports have been released stating different models of a proposed ceasefire, as well as releasing Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Some Israeli officials have commented on the unconfirmed demands, saying that Hamas’s stance is still far-fetched.
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