I’m surprised Israel went for the staggered approach with the hostages. Anyway, todays news… The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency says at least 71 people have been killed in airstrikes in Gaza ahead of the deal coming into effect An Israeli cabinet meeting to approve the agreement has now been delayed after PM Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of seeking last-minute concessions A Hamas spokesperson has since said the group remains committed to the deal, rejecting Netanyahu's suggestion The full details of the deal have not been released - but do include a ceasefire in Gaza, the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces and release of hostages held in Gaza
I’m watching Sky News and they’re showing live pictures from Gaza. The place looks fine. I can see about 50 market stalls, everyone happily strolling about shopping and spending money. Think this has been blown out of proportion. Little tinkers.
Just on your first bit, 'I’m surprised Israel went for the staggered approach with the hostages.' I didn't say anything yesterday because I like to guage opinion, but there is absolutely no way if I was an Israeli official on this deal, that I would be agreeing to it (this deal). As a mere civi in the UK, I want to see the war end, I don't want to see anymore kids killed or injured, so as that mere civi I accept the deal...but truthfully I think Hamas are taking the fooking piss.
Neither side really wants this. It feels like they’ve both been pushed into something that neither side is ready for. If both sides were truly committed to this deal. A ceasefire would have been implemented within 24hrs. Hostages and political prisoners swapped over within a week. Both are easily achievable with goodwill on both sides. I agree with CK in that the big thing is… what is being put in place from the second the ceasefire takes hold to maintain peace, short and long term. Without that it’s only temporary before everything flares up again. There has to be a clear plan.
For me Israel should be in the controlling position with this deal, and either Israel negotiators are really poor, which I find hard to believe, or they feel they are under immense pressure from there own people and other governments to come to any deal. I'm really not getting my head around this deal, think I'd be screaming and shouting and banning a few people if it was me , because the Israeli negotiators are coming across as totally incompetent imho.
My guess it is staggered is that for good reason neither side trusts the other so you stagger it to ensure both sides meet their side of the agreement so building trust in the process
Israel still hasn't put the agreement to the cabinet vote. Lots happening behind the scenes. Ben Gvir will try to bring down the government over this. He doesn't have enough MKs directly under his whip to do so, but with just a few more from Smotrich's brigade, he'll succeed. This isn't over yet.
The cabinet vote is tomorrow. I'd throw it out personally, I don't think there is enough concessions around the hostages, it comes across to me as bordering on desperate to accept this deal in favour of the hostages, who the fook is running this shhite show, because it seems like the so called beaten Hamas to me, they seem more alive then ever - I can see why Ben Gvir is pissed off. I'm a 100% for peace, but that don't mean letting them take the piss. I'd be demanding, not asking, demanding a higher number of hostages are released within the first two days, so if the deal goes ahead Sunday, I want releases by the Tuesday, which I believe will take it under Trumps watch, so all boxes ticked.
In other news, we've apparently signed a 100-year 'pact' with Ukraine and have committed to transferring aid of £3bn per year "for as long as it takes". What a load of pish.
Israel has signed the deal. Vote expected tomorrow. It will pass. A secondary positive outcome is that enough MKs from the right wing quite the govt in protest and force an election, which might lead to Netanyahu getting booted out. Let's see.
Rest of RZP party have confirmed they won't walk, so your man Bibi stays in power for now. Unfortunately. He'll keep his parliamentary majority.
He's an ultra nationalist right wing politician who heads up a Zionist party that helped Netanyahu form a Govt, as they had a hung parliament at the last election. He's threatened to bring down the coalition on a number of occasions if he doesn't get his own way A particularly nasty piece of work, he's known for inciting racial hatred, celebrating terrorism, calling for Arabs to be kicked out of Israel etc. He was even kicked out of the IDF for his extreme right wing ideology. Think of him as a Jewish version of Tommy Robinson with more power.
It's an utter idiotic philosophy. Israel is surrounded by Arab nations, of which many have fantastic education systems, so Israel will deny Arab doctors, financers, etc from entering Israel? No chance. It's like if Reform came out and said "no we just don't want any Europeans in this country. None at all. Get rid". Make it make sense lol.
Could be a bit tasty in London tomorrow with Hamas fans insisting they have the right to abuse Jews on their way to synagogue despite police slightly moving their preferred marching for the anti-racist obliteration of Israel. Expecting the police to kowtow but the statements put out have been quite strong.
