Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Jerusalem on Monday evening near the home of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Knesset. The protesters called for early elections, criticizing his management of the war in Gaza and his failure to repatriate dozens of hostages held by Hamas. Notably, the demonstration came about a week after the resignation of the war cabinet led by centrist leaders Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, two former army chiefs.
Despite these resignations, Netanyahu's coalition continues to hold a majority in the Knesset. After reaching Netanyahu's residence, some protesters broke through barriers erected by police, resulting in police dispersion tactics that included the use of water cannons and nine arrests.
The dissolving of the war cabinet was attributed to internal controversies and increasing pressure from far-right members such as Itmar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who sought to join the influential body. However, sensitive war decisions are now being made by a smaller consultation forum featuring Netanyahu's inner circle, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.
Simultaneously, fighting continues unabated in Gaza and along the Israeli-Lebanon border. In Rafah and other areas of the southern Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have engaged in intense military operations, resulting in significant casualties. On the Lebanese border, exchanges of fire with Hezbollah have escalated, leading to the deaths of numerous combatants on both sides.
International diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation are ongoing. US President Joe Biden's special envoy, Amos Hochstein, has arrived in Israel to urge for de-escalation with Lebanon. The UN has also called for sustained humanitarian pauses to facilitate aid delivery in Gaza, which continues to suffer from severe humanitarian crises exacerbated by ongoing hostilities.
- The dissolving of the war cabinet following Benny Gantz's exit signaled heightened political tensions within the Israeli government. Far-right factions have exerted substantial pressure, demanding greater influence over war-related decisions. With the dissolution, Netanyahu now convenes with a more exclusive group of ministers for critical consultations.
- Military operations in Gaza have been particularly focused on Rafah, a strategic location for both Israeli and Hamas forces. The Israeli army has claimed significant operational gains, dismantling half of the Hamas force in Rafah over the past 40 days. Despite temporary pauses for humanitarian aid, hostilities remain intense across Gaza.
- Israel's stance on maintaining deterrence is mirrored on its northern front with Lebanon. The Israeli military's engagement with Hezbollah remains a critical concern, with both nations on the brink of potential escalation towards full-blown conflict. The death of senior Hezbollah commanders has further fueled tensions.
- The international response has been a mixture of concern and calls for negotiation. Both the United States and France are active in mediating a halt to the escalation, emphasizing the necessity of diplomatic solutions to prevent further regional destabilization. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza underscores the dire need for sustained aid and cessation of violence.
