The future of Israel’s wartime administration, set up in response to the onslaughts by Hamas on October 7th, hangs in the balance following the resignation of Benny Gantz, the former defence minister. Gantz, who was protesting Binyamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza, leads the centre-right party, National Unity. Claiming that Netanyahu is obstructing prospects of real success, Gantz requested new elections and gave the prime minister a deadline, up to June 8th, to outline tangible “day after” strategies for the Gaza Strip.
Escalating tension in Israeli politics is occurring under an umbrella of global criticism concerning the extent of destruction in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza following a mission to save four Israeli hostages. The EU’s Foreign Minister, Josep Borrell, decried the assault as a “massacre” of Palestinian civilians and called for an immediate ceasefire, stating that the slaughter must stop forthwith.
Hamas has issued a warning that the situation would deteriorate for the Israeli hostages still in captivity following the weekend raid, where at least 274 Palestinians were reportedly killed according to the health ministry run by Hamas. The health ministry also remarked that approximately 700 individuals had been injured in the operation, which focused on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
Four Israeli hostages, Noa Argamani, Almog Meir, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv, who had been detained since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, were rescued during the operation. Despite claims by Hamas that three Israeli hostages, including a U.S. citizen, were killed in the rescue operation, they presented no proof and the Guardian was unable to independently verify these allegations.
Since the war began, the Israeli military has managed to retrieve seven hostages, however it’s believed over a hundred people still remain captive in Gaza, with many feared dead. Following political instability in Israel and Hamas’s refusal to comment, there is speculation over whether US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is returning to the Middle East on Monday to promote a ceasefire plan, will be successful. Whilst the cease fire remains uncertain, Israel resumed assaults in central Gaza on Sunday, with Wafa, a Palestinian news agency, reporting continuous widespread bombing of the Gaza Strip, as Israeli artillery shells targeted multiple areas.
The visit by Mr Blinken marks the eighth occasion that a U.S. Secretary of State has travelled to the area following the unexpected assaults on October 7th. Following storm-inflicted damages, a rejuvenated American-constructed pier has been used to channel aid into Gaza. A statement acknowledging that aid had successfully reached Gaza through the pier on Saturday morning was posted on social media by the U.S. Central Command. – Guardian