Israeli protesters are fuming with anger over the government’s ongoing offensive to reoccupy the Gaza Strip, with families of captives calling Netanyahu the “worst enemy of Jews”.
Hamas earlier this week said they were ready to accept the 60-day initial ceasefire halting all military operations against the Israeli military in return for the withdrawal of the forces and prisoner exchange. The Qatari mediators also confirmed that it was Israeli negotiators, elected by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who didn’t agree to the ceasefire proposal.
Netanyahu, along with his two major supporters, Finance Minister Smotrich and National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, wanted by the International Court of Justice for crimes against humanity in Gaza, have complicated the peace process in Gaza.
Both ministers have threatened to exit the coalition in case Netanyahu agrees to a peace deal which would secure the release of the captives in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the Netanyahu government was taken aback on Saturday when the United Arab Emirates issued a stern warning to the Israeli government over the consideration of occupying the West Bank.
The UAE’s government, while issuing a public warning, said, “Israeli annexation of the West Bank was a ‘red line’ that would spell an end to regional integration.”
The public warning was particularly stark coming from the UAE, which took the landmark step of normalising relations with Israel in 2020 under the so-called Abraham Accords, becoming the first Arab nation to do so in over a quarter century.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a staunch supporter of the Israeli regime, said the Israeli government’s move to annex the West Bank was a response to Western nations that are willing to recognise Palestine in the upcoming UNGA.
