Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday accused Hamas of backing out of a ceasefire agreement to release hostages and end more than a year of fighting.

Netanyahu’s office said Thursday that his Cabinet would meet to approve the Gaza ceasefire deal only if Hamas backed out of what it called a “last-minute crisis.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, September 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Netanyahu’s office, without elaborating, accused Hamas of trying to back out of part of the agreement to “extort last-minute concessions.”

The Israeli cabinet was expected to ratify the agreement on Thursday.

President Biden participated in a press conference with Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday and announced that the agreement would be implemented in three phases.

Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, agreement reached to release hostages: “Americans will be involved”

Biden said the first phase would last six weeks and include “a comprehensive ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of the Gaza Strip and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas, including women and the elderly.” “And I am proud to say that the Americans will also be part of this hostage release and the first phase. And the Vice President and I can’t wait to welcome them home,” he said.

In return, Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, Biden said, and Palestinians “will also be able to return to their neighborhoods in all areas of the Gaza Strip, and a surge in humanitarian assistance to Gaza will begin.”

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Efrat Lachter of Fox News Digital and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.