Israeli radio describes the emerging ceasefire agreement in Gaza as a “complete failure” for the government

In an interview on Tuesday, Yehoshua Shani, the bereaved father of Lieutenant Uri Mordechai Shani—a platoon commander in the 51st Battalion of the Golani Brigade who was killed during the Hamas surprise attack on October 7, 2023—expressed his views on the developing agreement, stating, “The deal that is emerging will not be a complete victory, but rather a complete failure.”

Shani, a prominent figure in a forum opposed to ceasefire negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, has voiced his discontent with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He further claimed that Netanyahu lacks the ability to effectively engage with incoming U.S. President Donald Trump.

Shani suggested that Prime Minister Netanyahu may have succumbed to pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump. She remarked that the 75-year-old leader of the Likud party seems unable to oppose Trump’s influence, which she believes is guiding towards a contentious agreement.

He stated that they had been briefed on the specifics of the Gaza ceasefire agreement for several months in discussions with the Israeli Prime Minister.

The chairman of the Gevurah Forum expressed that they had been persuaded by him of his firm opposition to the deal, the very agreement for which final details are reportedly being completed.

Shani has raised concerns over the recent agreement, warning that it could potentially leave nearly 70 hostages in dire situations akin to that of Ron Arad, the Israeli Air Force navigator who was captured by Hezbollah in 1986 and is presumed to have died in captivity two years later. He also noted that the effectiveness of military efforts has diminished, particularly in the past few months.

He expressed concerns over the ongoing military campaign, stating, “We are incurring casualties due to the current approach,” and criticized both the Prime Minister and the newly appointed Minister of Military Affairs for allowing the situation to persist without making changes to the military leadership.

In a recent statement on Tuesday, Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, revealed that both the current Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration have played an active role in ongoing negotiations. He highlighted that both political entities are collaborating closely to facilitate the successful conclusion of an agreement.

On Monday, US President Joe Biden announced that a ceasefire agreement in Gaza could potentially be reached by the end of this week, despite ongoing intensive military operations by Israeli forces that continue to result in significant casualties in the Palestinian territory.

In a recent foreign policy address, the outgoing US president announced that a proposal he detailed months prior is on the cusp of being realized in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

In a statement underscoring his extensive experience in public service, the official emphasized his unwavering determination, stating, “Throughout my many years in public service, I have learned to never, ever give up.” He further asserted the commitment to efforts, noting, “We are pushing forward with resolve to conclude this matter.”

In recent developments, far-right Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has urged Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to step down alongside him should a ceasefire agreement in Gaza be brokered imminently. This call was made public via a statement on Ben-Gvir’s Telegram channel.

Ben-Gvir has characterized the emerging agreement as a capitulation to Hamas. He has urged Bezalel Smotrich to collaborate with him in opposing the proposed deal.

The leader of the Jewish Power Party acknowledged that the party lacks the individual influence to block the proposed deal unilaterally. However, he expressed confidence in the possibility of forming a coalition to influence the decision. He stated that they could approach the Prime Minister and indicate their intention to resign from the government if the agreement is approved.

With the support of the United States and its Western allies, Israel initiated military operations in Gaza on October 7, 2023. This action followed the Palestinian resistance group Hamas’s launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, which was a retaliatory measure against what they describe as Israel’s prolonged campaign of oppression against the Palestinian people.

The ongoing military offensive in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 46,584 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, according to recent reports. Additionally, 109,731 individuals have sustained injuries. Several thousand others remain unaccounted for, with fears that they may be trapped beneath debris.

On November 21 of the previous year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza.

Israel is currently confronting a genocide lawsuit at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning its lethal military actions in the beleaguered coastal enclave.