Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Full of Threats, Rejects Ceasefire
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened to overthrow Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu if Israel does not occupy the Gaza Strip. According to him, the Gaza ceasefire agreement is a very serious mistake and surrenders Israel to Hamas. The Gaza ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange came into effect at 11:15 local time (09:15 WIB) on Sunday after being delayed for several hours due to Israeli accusations against Hamas for allowing the prisoner list to be released.
Based on the ceasefire agreement which took place in several stages, as many as 33 Israeli hostages will be released by Hamas in the initial stage, before further negotiations begin to discuss the release of 65 other hostages in the next stage, and finally discuss the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.
In Jerusalem, a number of Israelis gathered in the streets carrying mock coffins in protest against the ceasefire, blocking roads, and clashing with police. Other demonstrators blocked traffic until security forces dispersed them.
The ceasefire agreement came after mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the US. The deal outlines an initial six-week ceasefire with a gradual Israeli withdrawal. Dozens of hostages held by Hamas including women, children, the elderly and the sick would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.(ayu)
Source: Newsmakers
