Gaza Ceasefire Vote Delayed as Israeli Bombings Kill at Least 83 Palestinians

What Happened?

The conflict in Gaza continues to rage on after Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed at least 83 Palestinians, 23 were children and 27 were women, in the past 24 hours.

At least 188 other people were also injured as Israel Defense Forces said it reportedly struck roughly '50 terror targets' across the Gaza Strip prior.

It comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that a cabinet meeting scheduled Thursday for a vote on the peace deal between Israel and Hamas had been delayed and moved to Friday.

Netanyahu reportedly accused the Palestinian militant group of attempting 'to extort last-minute concessions.'

But a senior Hamas official came out and denied that claim and reiterated their commitment to the agreed-upon deal.

A key party in Israel’s government threatened to quit if Netanyahu doesn’t return to war after the first stage of the ceasefire, according to reports.

One Israeli official has even reportedly threatened to withdraw his party from Israel’s governing coalition if the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage deal goes through.

Why it Matters

Israel and Hamas had reached a deal Wednesday for a ceasefire in Gaza to take effect on Sunday.

A six-week initial ceasefire will reportedly be a part of a phased outline where hostages held by Hamas would be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The measure will also include the release of two American hostages, with Israeli forces gradually withdrawing from the Gaza Strip.

As part of the second phase, the war would be intended to end on the 16th day of implementation.

Some experts like senior lecturer Andreas Krieg told reporters the days leading up to the deal would be difficult.

U.S. officials are still reportedly 'confident' that the last-minute issues will be overcome and still result in an Israel-Hamas deal before Sunday.

'It’s not exactly surprising that in a process, in a negotiation that has been this challenging, this fraught, you get a loose end,' U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told NBC News. 'We are tying up that loose end.'

The Biden administration had also reportedly drafted a detailed 'Day After' plan for when the Israeli military forces withdraw from Gaza.

'Virtually everything that now needs to be implemented under the agreement will be implemented under the Trump administration,' Blinken said during his final press conference. 'It was very important for the parties to know that the Trump administration stood behind the agreement that we negotiated.'

Blinken's last press briefing Thursday did not come without disruption after two journalists criticized his handling of the war in Gaza.

How it Affects You

President-elect Donald Trump is days away from taking office during a critical period between an Israel and Hamas resolution.

Officials reportedly estimate upward of $300 million will be needed to sustain Gaza's most urgent needs in the next six months amid economic and infrastructure impacts as a result of the war.

Trump's administration will be tasked with ensuring over 2 million displaced residents in Gaza can effectively return home under conditions that allow an international secure presence to rebuild.