It’s only Tuesday, and already Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has had one of the worst weeks since the war against Hamas started last October. Israelis are losing patience with him and his band of self-serving extremist ministers. Netanyahu, whose approval rates were low before the war and have only got lower since it started, is feeling the squeeze.

Last night, in the single most deadly incident since the start of the war, 21 Israeli soldiers were killed when buildings collapsed on them following an RPG grenade attack by Hamas in the city of Khan Yunis, southern Gaza. Three soldiers were also killed in a separate earlier incident in the city, bringing the total of casualties yesterday to 24.

Israel is a nation in mourning. Each day brings more casualties, and with them more widows and widowers

Also yesterday, several families of hostages still being held in Gaza stormed the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, and disrupted a finance committee meeting. They were chanting ‘release them now, now, now’. The clock is ticking for these 136 hostages, who have been captive now for over 100 days. Some have already been killed in captivity, others are wounded or sick. There are reports of hostages suffering sexual abuse, starvation, torture, with some even held in cages.

Their families, understandably, are prioritising their return over military achievements right now – as are the majority of Israelis. Thousands took to the streets last Saturday, conjuring memories of the mass anti-government demonstrations that happened on a weekly basis after Netanyahu’s government was sworn in in December 2022 but which stopped when the war started.

Angry protesters gathered in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Netanya and outside Netanyahu’s family home in Caesarea. They were calling for a deal to be made for the return of hostages. Many others were demanding national elections.

Despite his refusal to accept any responsibility for Hamas’s successful attack in October, Israelis hold Netanyahu fully accountable for the failure to foresee the attack.

QOSHE - Israel has suffered its deadliest day in Gaza - Limor Simhony Philpott
menu_open
Columnists Actual . Favourites . Archive
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close
Aa Aa Aa
- A +

Israel has suffered its deadliest day in Gaza

3 9
23.01.2024

It’s only Tuesday, and already Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has had one of the worst weeks since the war against Hamas started last October. Israelis are losing patience with him and his band of self-serving extremist ministers. Netanyahu, whose approval rates were low before the war and have only got lower since it started, is feeling the squeeze.

Last night, in the single most deadly incident since the start of the war, 21 Israeli soldiers were killed when buildings collapsed on them following an........

© The Spectator


Get it on Google Play