Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed criticism of the Israeli military's plans to implement 11-hour pauses in fighting along a main road into Gaza to allow aid to reach the bomb-stricken area. The military announced daily pauses from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time between Kerem Shalom Crossing and Salah al-Din Road, then northwards. However, Netanyahu deemed this pause unacceptable, highlighting heightened political tensions over aid delivery into Gaza amidst warnings of a growing humanitarian crisis by international groups.
The military clarified that while fighting would pause in the designated area, normal operations would continue in Rafah, the main focus of the campaign in southern Gaza. This disagreement is the latest in a series of conflicts between Netanyahu's coalition members and the military regarding the conduct of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Recently, Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz resigned from Netanyahu's emergency government, citing the prime minister's hindrance to achieving 'total victory.' Gantz emphasized the need to prioritize the return of hostages seized by Hamas over political survival, stating that Netanyahu's government lacked unity and decisiveness in making strategic decisions.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid supported Gantz's decision, calling for a change in government to restore security, secure hostage releases, and improve Israel's economic and international standing. The political landscape in Israel remains tense as debates continue over the handling of the conflict with Hamas and the delivery of aid to Gaza.
