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Netanyahu criticised by cabinet members over Gaza crisis Netanyahu criticised by cabinet members over Gaza crisis
(35 minutes later)
Binyamin Netanyahu's cabinet was in disarray on Wednesday as the Israeli prime minister came under fire from several of his most senior ministers for his handling of the crisis in Gaza. Binyamin Netanyahu's cabinet was in disarray as the Israeli prime minister came under fire from several of his most senior ministers for his handling of the crisis in Gaza.
The storm of public criticism from his own ranks resulted in the sacking on Tuesday night of deputy defence minister Danny Danon, a member of Netanyahu's own Likud party. The storm of public criticism from his own ranks resulted in the sacking on Tuesday night of the deputy defence minister, Danny Danon, a member of Netanyahu's own Likud party.
Danon had told media yesterday that Hamas had humiliated Israel by setting conditions for peace, after Netanyahu said he was willing to accept the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire. Hamas claimed that it had not been consulted over the ceasefire conditions and rejected it. Danon told media on Tuesday that Hamas had humiliated Israel by setting conditions for peace, after Netanyahu said he was willing to accept the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire. Hamas claimed that it had not been consulted over the ceasefire conditions and rejected it.
"At a time when … Israel and the IDF [Israel Defence Forces] are in the midst of a military campaign against the terrorist organizations and taking determined action to maintain the security of Israel's citizens, it cannot be that the deputy defence minister will sharply attack the leadership of the country regarding the campaign," Netanyahu said in a statement Tuesday night. "At a time when … Israel and the IDF [Israeli Defence Forces] are in the midst of a military campaign against the terrorist organizations and taking determined action to maintain the security of Israel's citizens, it cannot be that the deputy defence minister will sharply attack the leadership of the country regarding the campaign," Netanyahu said in a statement on Tuesday.
"These sharp remarks on the deputy defence minister's part are irresponsible, especially given his position. They also serve the Hamas terrorist organization as a tool to attack the government with." "These sharp remarks on the deputy defence minister's part are irresponsible, especially given his position. They also serve the Hamas terrorist organisation as a tool to attack the government with."
The divisions within the Israeli cabinet have been mocked by Hamas, with spokesman Fauzi Barhoum calling the Danon sacking a "victory for the resistance".The divisions within the Israeli cabinet have been mocked by Hamas, with spokesman Fauzi Barhoum calling the Danon sacking a "victory for the resistance".
Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's hawkish foreign minister, split his Yisrael Beiteinu party from Likud – dismantling a critical alliance for Netanyahu – having accused the prime minister of hesitation over a ground invasion of Gaza.Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's hawkish foreign minister, split his Yisrael Beiteinu party from Likud – dismantling a critical alliance for Netanyahu – having accused the prime minister of hesitation over a ground invasion of Gaza.
Lieberman also criticised the government for accepting an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire on Tuesday and called for an IDF ground assault and occupation of the Gaza Strip, arguing that a ceasefire would allow Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups to replenish their stock of weapons.Lieberman also criticised the government for accepting an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire on Tuesday and called for an IDF ground assault and occupation of the Gaza Strip, arguing that a ceasefire would allow Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups to replenish their stock of weapons.
"All this hesitation works against us. We must go all the way, there is no alternative. We have to end this conflict with the IDF in control of all of Gaza … There is no other way to tackle the Hamas and Islamic jihad terror that rules Gaza," Lieberman said at a press conference Tuesday night. "All this hesitation works against us. We must go all the way, there is no alternative. We have to end this conflict with the IDF in control of all of Gaza … There is no other way to tackle the Hamas and Islamic jihad terror that rules Gaza," Lieberman said at a press conference on Tuesday night.
Netanyahu's election last year was only possible at the head of a shaky coalition of right-wing parties, the cracks in which now appear to be emerging over the war in Gaza. Netanyahu's election last year was only possible at the head of a shaky coalition of rightwing parties, the cracks in which appear to be emerging over the war in Gaza.
Danon and Lieberman are not Netanyahu's only critics. Israeli media reported that another senior figure on the Israeli right wing, Naftali Bennett, who leads the Jewish Home party, also voted against a ceasefire. Haaretz reported yesterday that Lieberman and Bennett both claimed they were not informed about the ceasefire by the government but heard about the proposed deal through the Israeli media. Danon and Lieberman are not Netanyahu's only critics. Israeli media reported that another senior figure on the Israeli rightwing, Naftali Bennett, who leads the Jewish Home party, also voted against a ceasefire. Haaretz reported yesterday that Lieberman and Bennett both claimed they were not informed about the ceasefire by the government but heard about the proposed deal through the Israeli media.
Four rockets were shot down over Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning at around 9am, with reports of shrapnel falling in the north of the city. Israel also suffered its first casualty on Tuesday, after a civilian was killed by a mortar shell outside the Erez crossing into Gaza. The Palestinian death toll now stands at 205, with Israel warning 100,000 Palestinians to leave their homes Wednesday ahead of further aerial bombardment of the strip. Four rockets were shot down over Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning at about 9am, with reports of shrapnel falling in the north of the city. Israel also suffered its first casualty on Tuesday, after a civilian was killed by a mortar shell outside the Erez crossing into Gaza. The Palestinian death toll now stands at 205, with Israel warning 100,000 Palestinians to leave their homes on Wednesday ahead of further aerial bombardment of the strip.