Disputes have delayed Israel’s vote on a ceasefire

Israel’s government said yesterday it was unlikely to meet to ratify a ceasefire deal that raised hopes of ending 15 months of devastating war in Gaza. At the time this briefing was sent, it was not expected to meet at least until today. Here’s the latest.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s hardline national security minister, has threatened to resign and remove his party from government if the deal is approved.

The office of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, accused Hamas of trying to renegotiate parts of the deal. Netanyahu’s spokesman said Hamas demanded changes to the deployment of Israeli troops along Gaza’s border with Egypt, as well as the release of “certain terrorists” who are unacceptable to Israel. A senior Hamas official said the group was committed to the deal, but specific questions about the disputes remained unanswered.

The Biden administration said its team continues to work with Israeli officials and mediators. “I am confident and fully expect that enforcement will begin, as we said, on Sunday,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

details: The deal would begin with a six-week phase that would include the release of 33 hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and would allow 600 trucks a day carrying humanitarian aid into Gaza, according to a copy of the agreement obtained by The Times.

On the ground: Many Gazans reacted to the prospect of a ceasefire with cautious hope tempered by sadness. “How can we ever rebuild? Where do we even begin?”

China has strengthened internal security

The Chinese government is stepping up efforts to root out troublemakers and curb social unrest following a spate of attacks in the country. The police have stepped up patrols in crowded places promised to better regulate knives and other weapons.

The move follows several mass attacks last year. In November, a driver plowed into a crowd in the city of Zhuhai, killing at least 35 people. Then a former student stabbed eight people to death at a school in Wuxi. Barely a week later, a man drove his car into a group of people near an elementary school in Changde. The drivers in the two car attacks were quickly sentenced to death. Officials said the perpetrators of all three attacks were unhappy with their financial situation.

Context: High youth unemployment, large executions and deteriorating international relations have fueled widespread concern about the future. Public protests, mostly related to economic issues, increased significantly last year.

The Sudanese army has used chemical weapons twice

Sudan’s military has used chemical weapons on two separate occasions against a paramilitary group it is fighting for control of the country, US officials said yesterday. The weapon has been used in remote areas against members of the Rapid Support Force, but officials are concerned the weapon could be used in the capital Khartoum.

The US is preparing to announce sanctions against the head of Sudan’s military over documented crimes committed by his soldiers, including the indiscriminate bombing of civilians and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.

Background: By many measures, the war has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with up to 150,000 people killed, more than 11 million displaced and now the world’s worst famine in decades.

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