Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the country’s war cabinet – a move that should solidify his grasp of decision-making over the war in Gaza.
The move comes as discontent mounts over Israel’s conduct during the war and amid calls for a week of protests from antigovernment groups. The move was triggered after the moderate opposition leader Benny Gantz quit the cabinet last week, over what he believes is a lack of strategy over the war and what comes after it.
Mr Gantz joined a national unity government with Mr Netanyahu’s hardline coalition days after the start of the war in October. He had demanded that a small cabinet be formed as a way to sideline far-right legislators in government. Immediately afterwards, far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he had written to Mr Netanyahu to demand that he be added to the war cabinet.
Dissolving the war cabinet allows Mr Netanyahu to avoid clashes with his coalition partners, whose calls for Israel’s military to keep pushing on in Gaza are increasingly at odds with growing international calls for a ceasefire.
The war was triggered by a Hamas attack inside Israel during which around 1,200 people were killed and 250 more were taken hostage. A little under half of those are still being held captive in Gaza. More than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza as a result of the Israeli military’s offensive, according to the local health ministry.
This story is from the June 18, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 18, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Pogacar faces generation's greatest stage racers in fight for third Tour de France win
Vingegaard, Roglic and debutant Evenepoel feature in our guide to five race contenders and five more riders to watch
Thanks, Andy! How Murray allowed small town scarred by tragedy to redefine itself
Andy Murray didn't put Dunblane on the map. It was already there, sitting quietly between Stirling and Perthshire in central Scotland, when a sleepy town home to a few thousand people became the scene of Britain’s deadliest mass shooting.
Man who turned Pep down could be key for Southgate
Cole Palmer can seem like the missing link for England, the footballer who can give them something they are lacking. And as Gareth Southgate's side still miss a left-footer who can play left-back, who is capable of contributing in the final third, there came an unexpected revelation.
Why Slovakia must believe they can knock England out
Slovakia take on England tomorrow in the Round of 16 in Gelsenkirchen. An advance to the knockout stages - their second in eight years - is already a big success, but Slovakia feel there is more to achieve against a heavily criticised Gareth Southgate side.
Spalletti's trying to win the trophy an outburst at a time
There was a point on Monday night, when Luciano Spalletti was mid-rant, when the thought occurred that the famously awkward Aurelio De Laurentiis might not have been the awkward one in their relationship. Or the most awkward one, anyway.
£52bn stock market listing could rebound on Starmer
Huge flotation sounds like a coup for Labour's business friendly ambitions. But beware
Baldwin fails in attempt to dismiss manslaughter case
A court ruling yesterday put an involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin on track for trial early next month as a judge denied a request to dismiss the case on complaints that key evidence was damaged by the FBI during forensic testing. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer sided with prosecutors in rejecting a motion to dismiss the case.
French far-right leads in final polls ahead of vote
Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) party is increasing its lead in the polls as campaigning reached its final stages in France's snap election yesterday.
Iran heads to the polls as Middle East future at stake
Election follows death of the president in helicopter crash
'My first feeling was not of upset or anger... it was fear'
With his country poised to take over the EU presidency, a Hungarian writer talks about homophobic laws and his worries for the young, after his children's book was banned
