SMELL OF DEATH
Netanyahu also faced pushback from one of the far-right allies he needs to maintain a parliamentary majority and stay in power, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
Ben Gvir warned on X, formerly Twitter, that “if the prime minister decides to end the war without an extensive attack on Rafah in order to defeat Hamas, he will not have a mandate to continue serving as prime minister”.
The war was sparked by the Oct 7 attack against Israel by Hamas militants that resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, Israeli figures show.
Palestinian militants also took more than 250 Israeli and foreign hostages, 129 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 the army says are dead.
Thousands of protesters gathered on Sunday in front of Israel’s parliament to demand the return of the captives.
“Stay strong, you who are still there,” cried 17-year-old former hostage Agam Goldstein with tears in her eyes.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 33,207 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
A siege has deprived Gazans of most water, food and other basic supplies – the dire shortages only eased by aid trucks and, in recent weeks, airdropped relief supplies.
Vast areas of Gaza have been turned into a rubble-strewn wasteland, with damage to infrastructure, mostly housing, estimated at US$18.5 billion, a World Bank report said.
On Sunday, after Israeli forces left Khan Yunis, displaced Palestinians streamed back there, stunned by the level of destruction.
“We don’t have a city anymore – only rubble,” said Maha Thaer, a mother of four, as she walked among the charred ruins.
“There is absolutely nothing left. I could not stop myself crying as I walked through the streets,” said the 38-year-old, whose home was partially destroyed.
“All the streets have been bulldozed. And the smell … I watched people digging and bringing out the bodies.”
Thaer said she would nonetheless move back into her badly damaged apartment because although “it is not suitable for living… it is better than a tent”.
Source: CNA
