Tag: Netanyahu

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Netanyahu’s Residence Targeted In Drone Attack From Lebanon

Israel Prime Minister’s Office said that Netanyahu and his wife Sara were not at home at the time of the attack and there were no injuries reported in the incident.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence in Caesarea was targeted in a drone attack from Lebanon earlier this morning, The Times of Israel reported, citing Israel PM’s Office, The Times of Israel reported.

In a statement, the Israel Prime Minister’s Office said that Netanyahu and his wife Sara were not at home at the time of the attack and there were no injuries reported in the incident.

Two other drones that were fired from Lebanon this morning were downed by Israel’s air defences, triggering sirens in Tel Aviv, according to The Times of Israel report.

Meanwhile, sirens sound again in several northern communities in the Haifa Bay area, warning of incoming rocket fire from Lebanon.

The latest alerts can be heard in cities and towns including Haifa Bay, Kfar HaMaccabi, Usha, Kiryat Yam, Kfar Biyalik, Kiryat Motzkin, Kiryat Atta, Kiryat Bialik, Ramat Yochana, Shfaram, Tamra, Kiryat Haim, Kiryat Shmuel, and Nesher, The Times of Israel reported.

Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday addressed the people of Gaza, saying the war can end as soon as tomorrow if Hamas agrees to lay down its arms and return the hostages.

Sharing a video on X, Netanyahu said, “Yahya Sinwar is dead. He was killed in Rafah by the brave soldiers of the Israeli defence forces. While this is not the end of the war in Gaza, it’s the beginning of the end. To the people of Gaza, I have a simple message – this war can end tomorrow. It can end if Hamas lays down its arms and returns our hostages.”

He made the remarks hours after Israel confirmed the killing of Hamas chief and mastermind of the October 7 attacks, Yahya Sinwar. The Israel Defence Forces revealed on Thursday that Sinwar, along with two other terrorists have been eliminated by Israel.

Netanyahu revealed that Hamas is currently holding 101 hostages in Gaza, comprising citizens from 23 different countries, including Israel.

“Hamas is holding 101 hostages in Gaza who are citizens of 23 countries, citizens of Israel, but citizens of many other countries. Israel is committed to doing everything in our power to bring all of them home. Israel will guarantee the safety of all those who return our hostages,” he said.

The Israeli PM issued a stern warning to those holding Israeli hostages, vowing that Israel will relentlessly pursue and bring them to justice.

“But to those who would harm our hostages, I have another message – Israel will hunt you down and bring you to justice. But to those who would harm our hostages, I have another message – Israel will hunt you down and bring you to justice. I also have a message of hope to the people of the region – the axis of terror that was built by Iran is collapsing before our eyes,” he said. (ANI)

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No 10 fears ICC will ask UK to sign Netanyahu’s arrest warrant

There are concerns among some Foreign Office officials whether the position is politically sustainable….reports Asian Lite News

Downing Street fears it is to be asked to support the issue of an international criminal court (ICC) arrest warrant for the Israeli leader, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Such support would have to be given at a time when it has not proscribed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in the UK. There are concerns among some Foreign Office officials whether the position is politically sustainable.

No 10 is said to have been on alert for more than a week about an imminent statement from the ICC that its pre-trial chamber judges have accepted the request of the ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, to issue arrest warrants for war crimes committed in Gaza.

The request for arrest warrants was issued on 20 May against Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, the defence minister, as well as three Hamas leaders, including Yawar Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, the now-deceased head of the Hamas political bureau.

In the short term, No 10 is said to be most concerned by the explosive political fallout if the ICC issues an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, especially at such a moment of extreme tension in the Middle East.

Khan told the ICC pre-trial chamber the issue of the arrest warrant was of the utmost urgency nearly a month ago. The chamber of judges has taken much longer to reach a decision than the three weeks it required to accept Khan’s request for an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader, over his role in orchestrating the abduction of children from Ukraine. The delay has been caused by judges needing to assess numerous amicus curiae observations from states, international organisations, victim representatives and human rights groups.

The Labour government withdrew the filing made by the Conservatives that the ICC prosecutor did not have jurisdiction. Khan submitted his reply to the submissions on 23 August, saying the case was of “the utmost urgency”, and referred to the catastrophic situation in Gaza. He argued Palestine was a party to the ICC and any crimes committed on its territory are subject to ICC jurisdiction.

The concern in diplomatic circles is that the large anti-Iranian lobby inside parliament will complain that the UK is showing the wrong priorities if it backs seeking the arrest of the leader of a democratic state at a time when the IRGC remains unproscribed. The UK has said it is reviewing the IRGC’s status in the UK in the context of a wider review of laws governing state-sponsored terrorism. The British domestic intelligence service M15 has also said Iran’s backers have been responsible for as many as 15 attacks on British soil.

The Foreign Office has imposed heavy sanctions on IRGC members, but opposed IRGC proscription partly because it fears Iran might then cut off diplomatic relations with the UK, leaving the UK without an ambassador in Tehran. In seeking the arrest warrant, Khan accused Gallant and Netanyahu of committing crimes against humanity “as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the Palestinian civilian population pursuant to state policy”.

Khan carefully sought and won the backing of a large part of the British human rights legal establishment at the time he called for Netanyahu’s arrest, in particular to argue that the Israeli prime minister is answerable for crimes committed by Israel in Palestine.

In a sign of the growing tension, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been piling pressure on the government to do more about the UK’s obligations to apply international law related to Gaza. One group of 15 NGOs issued a statement expressing their “deep disappointment” that the UK had abstained in a UN general assembly vote that called for the ruling in July of the other big international court, the International Court of Justice, to be enforced by Israel leaving the occupied territories within 12 months.

The resolution was passed on Wednesday at the assembly by 124 to 14, but the UK was among 45 countries that abstained. The NGOs reminded the UK the ICJ ruling placed an obligation on all countries not to aid or assist the situation created by Israel’s presence.

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Netanyahu under pressure after killing of Israeli hostages

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said the death of the six hostages was the direct result of Netanyahu’s failure to secure a deal to halt the fighting and bring their loved ones home….reports Asian Lite News

World leaders have expressed shock over the killing of six Israeli hostages by Hamas in Gaza and offered condolences to their loved ones. They have also called for the release of hostages and an agreement from all parties on a ceasefire deal.

The statement of world leaders came after the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that the bodies of six hostages abducted alive by Hamas on October 7 were recovered from a tunnel in southern Gaza’s Rafah overnight, shortly after they were killed by Palestinian group.

The deceased hostages have been identified as Hersh Goldberg-Polin (23), Eden Yerushalmi (24), Ori Danino (25), Alex Lobanov (32), Carmel Gat (40), and Almog Sarusi (27).

Israelis have taken to the streets in large numbers, demanding a ceasefire deal and the return of captives held by Hamas, Al Jazeera reported.

Around 700,000 people participated in demonstrations on main roads and at junctions nationwide, with 550,000 attending the central rally in Tel Aviv, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Israel’s Ynet news site.

The protesters chanted “Now! Now!” and demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a ceasefire deal with Palestinian group Hamas to bring the remaining captives home.

Scuffles between the protesters and security forces were reported on Sunday night in one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in Israel since the Gaza war began nearly 11 months ago, as per Al Jazeera.

According to Al Jazeera, many protestors blocked roads in Tel Aviv and demonstrated outside Netanyahu’s office in West Jerusalem.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of captives held in Gaza, said the death of the six hostages was the direct result of Netanyahu’s failure to secure a deal to halt the fighting and bring their loved ones home.

“They were all murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture, and starvation in Hamas captivity,” the forum said.

Gil Dickmann, a cousin of Carmel Gat, whose body was among those returned, urged Israelis to put more pressure on their government.

Dickmann posted on X, “Take to the streets and shut down the country until everyone returns. They can still be saved,”

Meanwhile, in a first since October 7, Israel’s largest trade union federation, the Histadrut, has called for a general strike to pressure the government into signing a ceasefire deal.

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, addressed the crowd, claiming that there is “a deal proposal on the table” but that Netanyahu refuses to accept it to avoid losing support from his coalition of pro-settler leaders.

Later in the night, thousands of protesters in Tel Aviv set fire on the Ayalon Highway, temporarily blocking the main freeway. Police said they dispersed the crowd and reported at least 12 arrests nationwide.

By nightfall, cinemas, theatres, museums, universities, restaurants, cafes, pubs, and other businesses across the country remained closed in solidarity with the protest.

The demonstrations are expected to continue into Monday with a general strike. Arnon Bar-David, secretary-general of the Histadrut, Israel’s largest workers’ organization, announced the strike on live television, accusing Netanyahu of hindering the deal due to “political considerations.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that it is “devastating” to learn that six Israeli hostages were killed by Hamas. Taking to X, he stated, “It is devastating to learn that six Israeli hostages have been killed by Hamas. Australians offer our deepest sympathies to their loved ones and all those who grieve their loss. Every innocent life matters.”

Emmanuel Macron expressed “shock and indignation” over the discovery of six Israeli hostages being killed by Hamas in Gaza. He called for an immediate ceasefire and release of all hostages.

In a post on X, Macron stated, “Shock and indignation at the discovery of the six hostages killed by Hamas in Gaza. My thoughts are with their loved ones. There must be an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages, including our compatriots Ohad Yahalomi and Ofer Kalderon.”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for the release of all hostages by Hamas. He further said that a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering.

“I am completely shocked at the horrific and senseless killing of six hostages in Gaza by Hamas. My thoughts are with their loved ones at this awful time. Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering,” Keir Starmer posted on X.

US President Joe Biden said that he was devastated and outraged by the killing of Israeli hostages. He said that Israeli-US citizen Goldberg-Polin was among the people killed by Hamas.

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‘Majority of public want ICC arrest warrants pursued’

The new UK government has overturned previous legal opposition to Khan’s move, which CAABU in a press release described as a “welcome first step.”..reports Asian Lite News

The overwhelming majority of people in Britain believe that the UK should arrest the subjects of arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court, a new poll has found.

Commissioned by the Council for Arab-British Understanding and Medical Aid for Palestinians, the survey follows a request by Karim Khan, the ICC’s chief prosecutor, to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The poll, conducted on July 30-31, found that 84 percent of the UK public believe that Netanyahu and Gallant should be arrested if they enter British jurisdiction.

The new UK government has overturned previous legal opposition to Khan’s move, which CAABU in a press release described as a “welcome first step.”

The organization’s director, Chris Doyle, said: “At some point, perhaps within weeks or even days, the British government may have to enforce ICC arrest warrants relating to the atrocities over the last 10 months. This government has assured the electorate it will adhere to international law.

“This poll shows the electorate overwhelmingly wants to see that and that full accountability and justice matters to them, regardless of who is accused. The climate of impunity enjoyed by so many for so long must end.”

Fifty-eight percent of Britons support ending weapons sales to Israel, the poll found. Only 18 percent oppose the move.

Despite the previous British government’s unwillingness to support a ceasefire in Gaza, 74 percent of the public believe that the UK should back an end to the war, which has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians and injured 91,000.

Rohan Talbot, MAP’s director of advocacy and campaigns, said: “As Israel’s indiscriminate bombardment, including of homes, healthcare and so-called ‘safe zones,’ wages on, the British public has reaffirmed widespread support for action by the UK government to bring the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza to an end.

“This includes suspending arms sales to Israel which may be used in violations of international law. Ten months in, people in Gaza cannot wait any longer — the government must act now.”

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Netanyahu Seeks US Tools to End Hostage Situation

Many Democrats skipped the meeting in protest and thousands of people protested against his visit outside the US Congress…reports Asian Lite News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday told US lawmakers in a joint meeting of Congress that he was confident of securing the release of all hostages from Hamas’s captivity and said “give us the tools and we will finish the job”.

Netanyahu spoke, to repeated applause, reached out to both Republicans and Democrats and thanked US President Joe Biden for his steadfast support and former President Donald Trump for brokering the Abrahamic Accords between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain in 2020.

He spoke to repeated applause, especially from Republican lawmakers.

Many Democrats skipped the meeting in protest and thousands of people protested against his visit outside the US Congress.

“As we speak, we’re actively engaged in intensive efforts to secure their release,” Netanyahu said, referring to talks on,” the Prime Minister said of the efforts underway to release the hostages.

One hostage who was recently freed from her captors in an operation by Israeli forces was in the visitors’ gallery with the Prime Minister’s wife, Sarah Netanyahu. Other guests of Prime Minister Netanyahu in the gallery were Israeli military personnel who fought the Hamas terrorists in the October 7 attack.

This was Prime Minister Netanyahu’s fourth address to the US Congress and he is a keen observer of US politics.

“I will seek to anchor the bipartisan support that is so important for Israel,” Netanyahu said.

“And I will tell my friends on both sides of the aisle that regardless of who the American people choose as their next President, Israel remains America’s indispensable and strong ally in the Middle East.”

Netanyahu sought to explain to the lawmakers that Israel’s war with Hamas is not just Israel’s war.

“My friends, if you remember one thing, one thing from this speech, remember this,” Netanyahu said.

“Our enemies are your enemies. Our fight is your fight. And our victory will be your victory.”

He defended the war in Gaza and said: “If there are Palestinians in Gaza who aren’t getting enough food, it’s not because Israel is blocking it, it’s because Hamas is stealing it.”

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Minister Benny Gantz quits Netanyahu’s war cabinet

Israel says that its offensive in Gaza is a retaliatory response to the October 7 attacks by Hamas that not only killed many of its people but also took them hostage…reports Asian Lite News

Amid the continued delay in the hostage deal, Israel’s War Cabinet minister Benny Gantz announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency government on Sunday, reported Al Jazeera.

Gantz’s decision comes at a time when the war between Israel and Hamas is in its eighth month, and the situation in West Asia remains fragile.

“Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing towards true victory. That is why we are leaving the emergency government today, with a heavy heart but with full confidence,” Gantz said at a televised news conference on Sunday.

“There should be elections that will eventually establish a government that will win the trust of the people and be able to face challenges,” Gantz said, as he called for early polls in the country amid growing outrage among citizens due to the ongoing war.

“I call on Netanyahu: set an agreed election date,” he added.

In response to Netanyahu’s failure to present a post-war plan for the Gaza Strip, where Israel’s ground offensive has claimed over 37,000 people since October 7, according to Gaza health officials, Gantz, last month threatened to resign from the emergency government, which was established last year to oversee the war in Gaza, according to Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, Israel says that its offensive in Gaza is a retaliatory response to the October 7 attacks by Hamas that not only killed many of its people but also took them hostage.

“The protests are important, however, they need to be conducted in a legal manner and they must not encourage hatred. We are not each other’s enemies. Our enemies are outside of our borders,” Gantz told reporters.

“I will be part of a national unity government that includes all centrist parties and only that option will allow us to face all the challenges that stand before us, even with Netanyahu. Like I said, what we need is true and genuine unity and not partial unity,” he said, after quitting the emergency government, reported Al Jazeera.

Gantz also urged Yoav Gallant, the Israeli minister of defence, to “do what is right.”

In a succinct statement, Netanyahu urged Gantz not to “abandon the front,” but the right-wing coalition in power in the 120-seat Knesset will maintain its parliamentary majority of 64 seats in the event of Gantz’s departure.

In Israel, Gantz is seen as Netanyahu’s principal political adversary.

Prior to joining the war cabinet, he was a prominent member of the opposition.

The conflict in Gaza escalated after the October 7 attack by Hamas, where about 2,500 terrorists breached the border into Israel from the Gaza Strip, leading to casualties and the seizure of hostages. Israel has characterised its Gaza offensive as targeting Hamas’ infrastructure with the goal of eliminating the entire terror group while making efforts to minimize civilian casualties. (ANI)

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Netanyahu, Modi vow to deepen ties

Netanyahu expressed his heartfelt congratulations to PM Modi on his resounding victory….reports Asian Lite News

In a diplomatic exchange marked by warm congratulations and shared commitments, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday engaged in a promising conversation following PM Modi’s recent election triumph.

In a statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel on Thursday, Netanyahu expressed his heartfelt congratulations to PM Modi on his resounding victory.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and congratulated him on his election victory. The two leaders agreed to continue strengthening bilateral relations and to bring them to new heights in the near future,” said Office of the Prime Minister of Israel.

A day ago, Netanyahu extended wishes to Prime Minister Modi on being re-elected for a third consecutive term in the Lok Sabha polls.

Wishing PM Modi, Netanyahu said, “I extend my warmest congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on being reelected for a third consecutive term.”

“May the friendship between India and Israel continue to surge towards new heights. Badhaai Ho !” the Israeli PM wrote on X.

Netanyahu’s wishes came at a time when Israel’s war with Hamas has entered the 8th month.

The counting of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was held on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, and with its allies has 292 seats in the Parliament. The Congress, on the other hand, registered a strong growth winning 99 seats.

With PM Modi registering his win for the third consecutive term, wishes from global leaders also came pouring in at the speed of light.

The Italian PM, in her congratulatory message to Prime Minister Modi, said that both nations will cooperate on various issues that bind the two nations and are for the well-being of the people.

“Congratulations to @narendramodi on the new electoral victory and my warmest wishes for good work. Certain that we will continue to work together to strengthen the friendship that unites Italy and India and consolidate cooperation on the various issues that bind us, for the well-being of our Nations and our peoples,” Italian PM Meloni said in a post on X.

Other leaders also congratulated PM Modi and the BJP-led NDA government on their third consecutive victory in the Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)

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Netanyahu calls Israeli strike on Rafah ‘tragic mistake’

Khaled Najjar, another senior member of Hamas, directed shooting attacks and terrorist activities in Judea and Samaria, according to the IDF…reports Asian Lite News

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday called the country’s strike on a displacement camp in Rafah a “tragic mistake.” He said that Israel is carrying out investigation into the incident, CNN reported.

In his address at the Israeli Knesset on Monday, Netanyahu said, “Despite our best effort, not to harm those not involved, unfortunately a tragic mistake happened last night. We are investigating the case.”

At least 45 people were killed and 200 others were injured after the Israeli strike hit a camp for displaced people, CNN reported, according to the government media office in Gaza.

Shortly after the attack, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that two senior Hamas officials had been killed after targeting a Hamas compound. The Israeli attack followed Hamas’ first rocket attack on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv in months.

In a statement, the IDF said the strike had killed Yassin Rabia, who managed the Hamas terrorist activity in Judea and Samari and transferred funds to terrorist targets. According to IDF, Rabia was also behind numerous attacks in which IDF soldiers were killed.

Furthermore, Khaled Najjar, another senior member of Hamas, directed shooting attacks and terrorist activities in Judea and Samaria, according to the IDF.

In a post on X, IDF stated, “Eliminated in the precise airstrike in northwest Rafah: Hamas Chief of Staff in Judea and Samaria and an additional senior Hamas official. Terrorist #1: Yassin Rabia Rabia managed the entirety of Hamas’ terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria, transferred funds to terrorist targets and planned Hamas terrorist attacks throughout Judea and Samaria. He also carried out numerous attacks, in which IDF soldiers were killed.”

“Terrorist #2: Khaled Najjar. Najjar, a senior official in Hamas’ Judea and Samaria Headquarters, directed shooting attacks and other terrorist activities in Judea and Samaria and transferred funds intended for Hamas’ terrorist activities in Gaza. He also carried out several deadly terrorist attacks in which IDF soldiers were killed,” it added.

Videos posted on social media showed a large fire at the scene, with paramedics and firefighters working to manage the aftermath. The area that had been targeted included a large container used as a shelter for dozens of families, surrounded by hundreds of tents.

Gaza’s government office said, “The Israeli occupation army had designated these areas as safe zones, calling on citizens and displaced persons to head to these safe areas,” adding that when displaced people sought refuge, they came under attack, according to a CNN report.

Earlier, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike and said that it struck a “Hamas compound in Rafah in which significant Hamas terrorists were operating a short while ago.” The IDF said that it was aware of reports indicating that several civilians were harmed due to the strike and fire that was ignited and added that the incident is under review.

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Netanyahu Urges Moderate Arab Nations to Lead Gaza Reconstruction

The statement of the Israeli premier comes amid pressure from within and outside the country regarding the administration of Gaza after the end of the ongoing war with Hamas…reports Asian Lite News

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the IDF is the only security force capable of preventing a resurgence of terrorism in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement on Tuesday night, the Prime Minister said that the Israel Defense Forces will maintain the freedom to operate in Gaza after the war.

However, Netanyahu said that he was for a civilian administration in Gaza which did not support Hamas or the destruction of Israel.

The statement of the Israeli premier comes amid pressure from within and outside the country regarding the administration of Gaza after the end of the ongoing war with Hamas.

The Prime Minister of Israel also said that he wants the reconstruction of Gaza done by moderate Arab countries with the support of the International community.

It may be recalled that Arabian countries had always asserted that they would not assist in the reconstruction of Gaza unless Israel supported a move for the Palestinian state.

Netanyahu categorically denied any Palestinian Authority rule in a post-war situation in Gaza. He said that he does not want an administration in Gaza that teaches the young generation of Gazians to seek the destruction of Israel.

Gaza Resettlement ‘Never in the Cards’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told US media that Israel has no plans to build settlements in the Gaza Strip once the war there is over.

“Resettling Gaza… was never in the cards,” Netanyahu said in an interview with the US broadcaster CNN on Tuesday.

“Some of my constituents are not happy about it, but that’s my position.”

Several of the right-wing nationalist Ministers in Netanyahu’s coalition had repeatedly spoken out in favour of resettling the Gaza Strip with Jewish settlers. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir even declared on Tuesday that he would like to live there himself.

As soon as Palestinian militant organisation Hamas is defeated, sustainable demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip must be achieved, Netanyahu told CNN, adding that “the only force that can prevent the resurgence of terrorism for the foreseeable future is Israel”.

“At the same time we want — I want — a civilian administration that is run by Gazans who are neither Hamas nor committed to our destruction.”

On Saturday, Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war Cabinet, said that he and other members of his centre-right National Union Party would leave Netanyahu’s government if the Prime Minister did not present a plan for the post-war order in the Gaza Strip by June 8.

The 64-year-old retired Army General and former Defence Minister joined the war Cabinet as a Minister without portfolio.

The parties involved sought to demonstrate national unity in the wake of the attacks led by Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7, in which more than 1,200 people were killed. The unprecedented attack triggered the Gaza war as Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive.

The National Union is an opposition party. In opinion polls, it is currently far ahead of Netanyahu’s Likud party.

Netanyahu has previously said he wanted the territory to remain under Israeli military control for the foreseeable future. So far, he has refused to present a plan for the administration and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after the end of the war.

ALSO READ-Former US Officials from Trump Era Visit Israel

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Former US Officials from Trump Era Visit Israel

With Donald Trump being the Republican candidate for the US presidential post, he is trying to pitch himself as a much more reliable ally to Israel than Biden…reports Asian Lite News

Three former US foreign policy officials in Donald Trump’s administration are in Israel and have met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the opposition leader, Yair Lapid.

The three aides are Robert O’Brien, who was Trump’s National Security Advisor (NSA), John Rakolta, former Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, and Ed McMullen, former Ambassador to Switzerland.

John Rakolta as the US Ambassador to the UAE was instrumental in normalizing the relationship of Israel with UAE and Bahrain and played a key role in signing the Abraham Accords.

The three are considered to be the close policy advisors of Donald Trump.

Sources in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the visit of the three high-ranking former US officials, who are Trump’s close aides.

According to sources, the senior policy advisors have discussed with Netanyahu and Lapid the situation in Israel, the war with Hamas and the policy stand taken by the current US President Joe Biden.

It was during the period of Donald Trump as the US President between 2017 and 2021 that the capital of Israel was shifted from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem — a long demand by the Israelis.

With Donald Trump being the Republican candidate for the US presidential post, he is trying to pitch himself as a much more reliable ally to Israel than Biden.

Sources in Israel’s Prime Minister’s office said that the three policy advisors of Trump have communicated to the Israeli leadership the wholehearted support of the Republican presidential candidate for the Israeli cause.

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