Israel’s prime minister was under pressure to set up a war cabinet and bring opposition leader Benny Gantz into the administration to execute the war on Hamas.
| As Israel launches a massive counterattack against Hamas in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached a power-sharing deal with his chief political rival to form an emergency unity government expressly to prosecute the war.
The agreement will bring the centre-right National Unity party of Mr Gantz into the far-right governing coalition of Mr Netanyahu. Mr Gantz will also join a select war cabinet that will otherwise include only Mr Netanyahu and Defence Minster Yoav Gallant. Other members of the opposition will join a broader security cabinet.
“There is a unity government for the State of Israel,” Economy Minister Nir Barkat posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “At a time like this we must unite, support the IDF soldiers and act as one man until the complete victory of the State of Israel over the enemy,” he wrote, referring to the Israel Defence Forces.
Mr Netanyahu has come under withering criticism since Hamas fighters streamed past a high-technology barrier undetected and rampaged through numerous Israeli towns. The Israeli military struggled to mount a rapid response as civilians battled infiltrators on their own for hours. Dozens of Israeli hostages are thought to be held in Gaza.
Partnering with Mr Gantz may ease the public disaffection with the government and the Likud party of Mr Netanyahu. “I don’t think Netanyahu really had a choice,” Mr Rahat said. “For the first time we saw pressure from Likud insiders. Most of them are yes men for Bibi.”The emergency coalition agreement is set to expire when hostilities are completed. In the meantime, it gives Mr Gantz power akin to that of another prime minister.
That move was widely seen as a deliberate manoeuvre to trigger the dissolution of the government and force elections.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israel Hamas war LIVE UPDATES: Israel vows retaliation has ‘only started’ as Hamas threatens hostagesPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel’s counter-attacks will “echo down through generations”; Hamas threatens to execute hostages; NSW Premier Chris Minns deplores the “abhorrent” protest in Sydney. Follow updates here.
Read more »
Israel Hamas war LIVE UPDATES: Israel vows retaliation has ‘only started’ as Hamas threatens hostagesPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel’s counter-attacks will “echo down through generations”; Hamas threatens to execute hostages; NSW Premier Chris Minns deplores the “abhorrent” protest in Sydney. Follow updates here.
Read more »
Israel Hamas war LIVE UPDATES: Israel vows retaliation has ‘only started’ as Hamas threatens hostagesPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel’s counter-attacks will “echo down through generations”; Hamas threatens to execute hostages; NSW Premier Chris Minns deplores the “abhorrent” protest in Sydney. Follow updates here.
Read more »
Israel Hamas war LIVE UPDATES: Israel vows retaliation has ‘only started’ as Hamas threatens hostagesPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel’s counter-attacks will “echo down through generations”; Hamas threatens to execute hostages; NSW Premier Chris Minns deplores the “abhorrent” protest in Sydney. Follow updates here.
Read more »
Israel Hamas war LIVE UPDATES: Israel vows retaliation has ‘only started’ as Hamas threatens hostagesPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel’s counter-attacks will “echo down through generations”; Hamas threatens to execute hostages; NSW Premier Chris Minns deplores the “abhorrent” protest in Sydney. Follow updates here.
Read more »
Israel Hamas war LIVE UPDATES: Hamas threatens to kill hostages; US sends weapons to IsraelThe Israeli military strikes back; Jewish leaders in Australia support retaliation; Hamas said it would execute one civilian for every bomb Israel drops without warning; Follow updates here.
Read more »