Former Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has announced his return to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government, following his resignation earlier this year over disagreements regarding a ceasefire in Gaza. This shift, confirmed by both Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party and Netanyahu’s Likud Party, comes amidst a backdrop of renewed military action in the region.
The update was released just hours after Israeli forces launched a series of significant airstrikes on Gaza, marking the most intense operations since a January ceasefire was established. In a joint statement, the parties indicated that Otzma Yehudit is once again part of the Israeli government, thus bolstering Netanyahu’s coalition, which had been operating with a limited parliamentary majority since Ben-Gvir’s departure.
Ben-Gvir, a seasoned lawyer and politician, has been at the helm of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party since 2019. He originally stepped down in January in protest against the truce in Gaza, advocating for a stricter approach that includes halting humanitarian aid and essential supplies to the region to compel Hamas, the governing body in Gaza, to release Israeli captives. He previously articulated that without stopping these vital resources, Israel would struggle to secure the return of its citizens without compromising national safety.
In recent days, Israel resumed airstrikes on Gaza after Netanyahu indicated that retaliatory actions were necessary due to Hamas’ alleged non-compliance with ceasefire negotiations and failure to release hostages taken during ongoing hostilities. The Israeli military stated that these operations target “terror sites” associated with Hamas, leading to reported casualties exceeding 400 Palestinians, further compounding the humanitarian situation facing the region.
As a result, many of Gaza’s over two million residents are confronting dire shortages of food, water, and other critical supplies, exacerbated by the blockade imposed by Israel, which has been reinforced since early March. This complex landscape underscores the ongoing tensions in the region while emphasizing the continued impact on innocent lives amid geopolitical disputes.
With Ben-Gvir’s reintegration into the government, the dynamics within Israeli politics are likely to intensify as leaders navigate the challenges posed by both domestic and international expectations. As the situation unfolds, the call for a balanced approach that considers humanitarian perspectives grows increasingly vital for the future stability of the region.
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