On October 8, 2023 Benjamin Netanyahu formed a “War Cabinet, ” The war cabinet expressed the full backing for the IDF and unity with the government, saying: “In times like these, there is no opposition and coalition in Israel.” The war Cabinet included all opposition groups in Israel and had pledged a unified approach to the Hamas an Hostage mission. France 24
CNN is providing live reports covering the following:
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disbanded the country’s war cabinet, an Israeli official says, just over a week after opposition leader Benny Gantz withdrew from the body.
- Israel says it will allow a daily “pause” of military activity along a route in southern Gaza to facilitate aid deliveries, but warned its operations in and around the city of Rafah would continue uninterrupted.
- More than 1.3 million people are believed to have been displaced from Rafah to other parts of Gaza in six weeks, according to a UN relief agency.
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman condemned Israel’s “heinous crimes” in the Gaza Strip, imploring the international community to implement UN Security Council resolutions and work toward a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the IDF announced a “tactical pause” of military activities along a road in southern Gaza that has been designated for humanitarian aid deliveries every day for 11 hours.
The war cabinet: In disbanding the cabinet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have avoided having to accede to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s calls to join it, which could have further strained Israel’s relations with the US, or having to reject his demands, which could have angered the more extreme wing of Netanyahu’s coalition.
Palestinian displacement: More than 1.3 million people are believed to have been displaced from Rafah to other parts of Gaza in about six weeks, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The agency also said 193 of its staff have been killed since the war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, calling Gaza “the most dangerous places in the world for aid workers.”
Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank: Israel’s government says it is looking to “strengthen” Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank after several countries unilaterally recognized a Palestinian state. All of the proposals would be voted on at the next Security Cabinet meeting, the prime minister’s office said Sunday.