Between a Rock And a Hard Place: Netanyahu Faces Tough Call As He Holds Up Gaza Hostage Deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is finding himself between a rock and a hard place as his office holds up the approval of the Gaza hostage agreement even though all other involved parties have announced it as a done deal.

Should he go back on the deal, he risks alienating the U.S., particularly President-elect Donald Trump, whom Netanyahu considers a key ally in the international scene.

However, should he move forward, his coalition could crumble, as far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are threatening to leave in that scenario. Facing unpopularity at home, that scenario would likely mean the end of his tenure as prime minister.

Netanyahu's office issued a release on Thursday morning claiming that Hamas was attempting to go against a clause that "grants Israel a veto over the release of mass murderers who are symbols of terror."

"The Prime Minister instructed the negotiating team to uphold the understandings that were agreed upon, and to reject outright the last-attempts at blackmail by Hamas," the release adds.

Insiders, however, point at a previous statement by Smotrich, who after the deal was announced called it "bad and dangerous to the national security of Israel."

"Along with the great joy about the return of the hostages, the transaction goes back on many achievements from the war in which heroes of the nation sacrificed their lives. We firmly oppose it. We won't stay silent. The blood of our brothers claims for it. A clear condition for us staying in the government is the absolute certainty about a return to the war with great strength (...) as well as as well as the destruction of Hamas and the return of all hostages at home," Smotrich said.

There have been no statements by other involved parties. Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump have already celebrated the deal, which contemplates a two-phase deal, with the first one being a six-week-long ceasefire that allows for the negotiation toward a permanent one.

During that period 33 hostages are expected to be released, including women, children, men over the age of 50 and men under that age who are wounded and sick. It is not clear how many of those 33 hostages are alive. They would be released gradually throughout the 42-day period in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. There are about 98 hostages still being held in Gaza, with half of them believed to still be alive, including three Americans.

Israeli forces are expected to gradually withdraw to a buffer zone in Gaza near the border. Forces would also leave the Netzarim corridor, which crosses through central Gaza and the Philadelphi corridor, in the border with Egypt. It won't completely withdraw until all hostages are return, an Israeli official told the outlet. More aid is expected to enter Gaza during the ceasefire.