In central Gaza, an Israeli airstrike resulted in the deaths of 20 people, primarily women and children. Meanwhile, fighting continued in the north, and Israel’s leaders debated the post-war governance of Gaza.
Benny Gantz, a popular centrist member of Israel’s three-member War Cabinet, has threatened to resign if Benjamin Netanyahu fails to present a post-war plan for Gaza. He has given the prime minister a deadline of June 8 to organize the plans. If Mr. Gantz were to resign, it would leave Mr. Netanyahu more reliant on far-right allies.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders to discuss an ambitious U.S. plan. The plan aims for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel and assist the Palestinian Authority in governing Gaza, with the ultimate goal of achieving eventual statehood.
Despite opposition to Palestinian statehood, Netanyahu has dismissed the proposals. He asserts that Israel will retain indefinite security control over Gaza and collaborate with non-Hamas-affiliated local Palestinians.
Although Gantz’s departure wouldn’t collapse Netanyahu’s coalition government, it would increase his dependence on far-right allies who advocate for Palestinian emigration from Gaza, complete military control, and the reconstruction of Jewish settlements.
Despite ongoing discussions about postwar planning, the conflict continues unabated, with no clear resolution in sight. Recently, Hamas has reorganized in certain areas of northern Gaza that were heavily targeted during the initial stages of the war and where Israeli ground forces had previously operated.
An Israeli airstrike in central Gaza, specifically targeting the Nuseirat refugee camp—a community with historical roots dating back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war—resulted in the loss of 20 lives. Among the casualties were eight women and four children, as documented by Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby town of Deir al-Balah.
Additionally, a separate airstrike on a street in Nuseirat resulted in the loss of five lives, as reported by the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service. In Deir al-Balah, another strike claimed the life of Zahed al-Houli, a senior officer in the Hamas-run police, along with another individual, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.
According to reports from Palestinians, there have been additional airstrikes and intense clashes in northern Gaza. This area has faced significant isolation due to Israeli troop presence for several months, and the World Food Program has raised concerns about an ongoing famine.
Near Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, several homes were struck by the Israeli military, resulting in the loss of at least 10 lives. Rescuers were captured on footage attempting to extract the body of a woman from the debris, with explosions reverberating in the background and smoke billowing.
“The situation is very difficult,” said Abdel-Kareem Radwan, a 48-year-old in Jabaliya. He said the whole eastern side has become a battle zone where the Israeli fighter jets “strike anything that moves.”
Certainly! Here’s a rephrased version: “Following Israel’s recent operation in Jabaliya, rescuers have retrieved over 150 bodies, with more than half of them being women and children. Additionally, approximately 300 homes have been completely destroyed.”
Following the October 7 attack by Hamas, during which Palestinian militants infiltrated southern Israel, the Israeli forces launched their offensive. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and the abduction of around 250 individuals.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 35,000 Palestinians. Additionally, approximately 80% of the 2.3 million Palestinian population have experienced displacement within the territory, often multiple times.
Israel asserts that it makes efforts to prevent harm to civilians and attributes the high death toll and destruction to Hamas, which strategically places fighters, tunnels, and rocket launchers in densely populated residential zones.
Despite thousands of protesters taking to the streets again on Saturday, Netanyahu’s critics claim that he is prolonging the war and refusing a cease-fire agreement that would secure the release of hostages. Their argument centers around his desire to evade accountability for the security failures that precipitated the attack.
Recent polls indicate that Benny Gantz, a centrist politician, could potentially replace Benjamin Netanyahu if early elections were called. Such a change in leadership might leave Netanyahu vulnerable to prosecution for longstanding corruption charges.
Prime Minister Netanyahu refutes any political motivations and insists that the offensive against Hamas should persist until the group is dismantled and the approximately 100 hostages in Gaza, along with the remains of over 30 others, are repatriated. According to him, discussing postwar arrangements is futile while Hamas remains engaged in conflict, as the militants have issued threats against anyone cooperating with Israel.
Israel’s key ally, the United States, has been exerting pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu. The U.S. has supplied vital military aid and diplomatic support for the offensive, but it has also expressed increasing dissatisfaction with Israel’s handling of the conflict and the resulting humanitarian crisis.
The Biden administration recently paused a shipment of 3,500 bombs, each weighing up to 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms), to Israel due to concerns that these munitions could be used in Rafah. The U.S. decision reflects worries about the impact on civilians in the densely populated southern Gaza city
U.S. and Saudi officials insist that the agreement necessitates Israel’s acceptance of a viable path toward eventual Palestinian statehood, a stance Prime Minister Netanyahu has consistently opposed.
In Gantz’ ultimatum, he expressed support for normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. But he also said “we will not allow any outside power, friendly or hostile, to impose a Palestinian state on us.”
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