Netanyahu’s Shakeup of Israel’s Government
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday, citing a “crisis of trust” and replaced him with Israel Katz, previously the foreign minister.
- The prime minister also named Gideon Saar as the new foreign minister, Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
- Gallant and Netanyahu, both in the right-wing Likud party, have clashed for months over the objectives of Israel’s 13-month-old war in Gaza against Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Ongoing Netanyahu-Directed Military Operations in Gaza
- Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli forces issued new evacuation orders in the northern Gaza Strip and carried out military strikes.
- Palestinian medics and media reported that these strikes had killed at least 35 people since Monday night.
- The Israeli military said its forces had “eliminated terrorists” in the central Gaza Strip and Jabalia area, and located weapons and explosives in the southern Rafah area.
- Israel has ordered residents who have not yet left their homes and shelters housing displaced families in Beit Lahiya to evacuate the town completely, citing safety concerns as its troops battle Hamas fighters.
Diplomatic Efforts to Counter Netanyahu’s Aggression
- France’s foreign minister will travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Wednesday, a day after U.S. elections, to press Israel to engage diplomatically to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
- This comes amid ongoing tensions between the Israeli government and its defence minister, Gallant, who had made statements “contradicting the decisions of the government and the cabinet,” according to Netanyahu.
Devastating Humanitarian Toll of Netanyahu’s Gaza Offensive
- More than 43,300 Palestinians have been killed in more than a year of war in Gaza, health authorities in the territory say.
- Much of the Gaza Strip has been reduced to ruins due to the prolonged conflict.
- The World Health Organization announced plans to evacuate more than 100 patients from Gaza on Wednesday, including children suffering from trauma injuries and chronic diseases.
Violence Spreads to the West Bank Under Netanyahu’s Watch
- In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry reported that at least seven people were killed on Tuesday during an Israeli military raid and airstrikes.
- The Israeli military said its aircraft had targeted a group of gunmen and that its forces had arrested 60 militants.
- Violence has surged in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, with almost daily sweeps by Israeli forces involving thousands of arrests and regular gunbattles.
Calls for Diplomatic Resolution Amid Netanyahu’s Escalating Aggression
As the humanitarian toll continues to mount, the international community is intensifying efforts to find a path towards de-escalation and a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict despite Netanyahu’s actions.
The firing of the defence minister and the escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank come as France’s top diplomat prepares to visit the region to press for diplomatic solutions.
The tensions between the Israeli government and its own defence minister highlight the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing conflict under Netanyahu’s leadership.