Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark warning that he may call off a crucial ceasefire agreement with Hamas if the Palestinian militant group fails to adhere to the terms of the truce. At the heart of the dispute is Hamas’s failure to provide a list of Israeli hostages set to be released as part of the ceasefire’s initial phase. With the ceasefire slated to begin on January 19, Netanyahu’s ultimatum introduces new uncertainty into a deal meant to end 15 months of devastating conflict in Gaza.

The ceasefire agreement, reached on January 15 and approved by Netanyahu’s cabinet, is structured in three phases. In the first stage, Hamas is expected to release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for an undisclosed number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Following the approval of the deal, anticipation grew that the violence, which has resulted in over 1,700 Israeli deaths and nearly 47,000 Palestinian casualties, might finally come to a halt. However, Netanyahu’s firm demand for transparency regarding the hostages’ identities has cast doubt on the ceasefire’s viability.

Netanyahu’s insistence on accountability from Hamas was underscored in a public statement on January 18, just hours before the truce was scheduled to begin. “We will be unable to move forward with the framework until we receive the list of the hostages who will be released, as was agreed,” he declared. Accusing Hamas of reneging on its commitments, he added, “Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement. Hamas is solely responsible.”

In response,........

© Blitz