Summary of the day …
Israeli politics was dominated on Monday by a row over whether the country should make a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas. Far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said he will not be part of any deal, calling it a “a defeat and humiliation for Israel”. Brandishing a picture of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, he said “Prime minister, this is not the complete victory you promised. It is the complete failure. We will not be part of a deal of surrender to Hamas. The people of Israel, the bereaved families, IDF fighters in regular and the reserves, demand victory”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said he would provide prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a “political safety net” in order to get a deal through the Knesset if his coalition partners pull out of government. Lapid said “Netanyahu is a bad, failed prime minister, and he is to blame for the 7 October disaster, but the most important thing is to bring the kidnapped people back home”
Israeli media reported that security sources were dismayed by a statement by Netanyahu on Sunday setting out Israeli pre-conditions for a deal. One source told Hebrew media outlet Ynet that it was “inappropriate conduct that will harm the chance of returning the abductees home”
A senior Israeli delegation including Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar is in Egypt to continue talks
A protest was held outside the Knesset in Jerusalem with the mothers of some of the about 120 people being kept captive by Hamas in Gaza holding a sign in Hebrew which read “Mother never gives up”
AFP reported that a senior Hamas official on Monday accused Netanyahu of stepping up combat and bombardment in Gaza in order to derail the latest truce effort.
More Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israel’s military as it pushed into Gaza City, and again ordered people to forcibly evacuate their homes. The Palestinians death toll from the conflict has risen to 38,193 Palestinians according to the health authority in Gaza. Israel’s military says it has lost 324 troops during its ground operation. It has not been possible for journalists to independently verify the casualty figures being issued during the conflict
Israel’s military has claimed that in the Shujaiya area of Gaza City it has destroyed a Hamas headquarters which it says was converted from a school and health clinic “from civilian use to terrorist purposes”. The claims have not been independently verified
Israel’s military confirmed it was responsible for killing Mustafa Hassan Salman, a Hezbollah member, inside Lebanon. The Iran-backed militant group announced his death earlier on Monday. Israel’s statement said he was “an operative in Hezbollah’s rockets and missiles unit, who took part in the planning and execution of numerous terror attacks against the state of Israel”
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson has warned Israel that it would support Lebanon against any Israeli aggression, which would “increase tension and threaten security in the region”. Nasser Kanaani said “Defending Lebanon is a fundamental principle for Iran”
The Yemen Data Project has said that the US-led strikes on Yemen increased in June compared to May. It recorded 26 strikes in June, compared to 15 in May, and recorded two people killed and nine others wounded by the June strikes
The Yemen Data Project has said that the US-led strikes on Yemen increased in June compared to May. It recorded 26 strikes in June, compared to 15 in May, and recorded two people killed and nine others wounded by the June strikes.
Yemen’s Houthis launched 37 attacks on maritime traffic during June, with six of them successfully striking vessels.
