Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday, November 5, after differences over the conduct of the war in Gaza, while the Jewish state continues its bombings in Lebanon. A strike notably caused the death of at least 20 people south of Beirut. Here's what to remember from this day on the front lines of the conflict in the Middle East.
Israeli Defense Minister dismissed by Benjamin Netanyahu
The announcement surprised, while awaiting the result of the presidential election in the United States, Israel's main ally. At the beginning of the evening, Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, was dismissed from his position. “In the midst of war, trust is more than ever required between the Prime Minister and his Minister of Defense” more “in recent months, this confidence has eroded”said the Prime Minister in a letter addressed to his former minister. “Significant differences emerged (…) in the conduct of the (military) campaign, accompanied by statements and actions that contradicted the decisions of the government and the cabinet”he added.
Benymin Netanyahu chose the head of diplomacy Israel Katz, nicknamed the “bulldozer”to replace Yoav Gallant. Serving in the security cabinet, Israel Katz “combines the responsibility and calm problem-solving qualities that are essential to leading this campaign”said the Prime Minister.
Yoav Gallant had attracted the wrath of the ultra-Orthodox parties, key allies of the Prime Minister's coalition, by ordering the conscription of 10,000 men from this religious community who had until then benefited from an exemption under a rule established in the creation of Israel in 1948.
In Israel, wave of protest against the ouster of Yoav Gallant
Yoav Gallant also pleaded for a truce with Hamas with a view to obtaining the release of hostages still held in Gaza since the October 7 attack. The Families Forum, the main association of relatives of hostages, said “deeply concerned” of his ouster, calling on his successor to “prioritize” to an agreement for the release of captives in Gaza. In the evening, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv to demand an agreement allowing the release of the hostages.
One of the opposition leaders, Yaïr Lapid, declared on(New window) that this choice was a “foil papers” in the middle of the war in the Middle East. A leader of the Israeli left, Yaïr Golan, called for a general strike on the same social network(New window).
At least 20 dead in Israeli raid south of Beirut
At least 20 people were killed in an Israeli strike targeting an apartment building south of Beirut. “Israeli enemy raid in Barja left 20 dead”declared the Ministry of Health, adding that clearance and relief operations were underway in this coastal locality located about twenty kilometers from the Lebanese capital. Flames were emerging from the targeted building in the evening, according to the AFP correspondent on site. Several families in the area fled in panic.
This is the second Israeli strike on Tuesday against this region located outside the strongholds of pro-Iranian Hezbollah, against whom Israel entered war on September 23. Earlier, a strike also targeting a residential building in the town of Jiyeh, near Barja, left one person dead, according to the ministry. A security source told AFP that an apartment belonging to the pro-Iranian Hezbollah had been targeted.
Seven Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks in occupied West Bank
Seven Palestinians were killed Tuesday by Israeli airstrikes in the northern occupied West Bank, according to several official Palestinian sources. Two people were killed in the town of Tammun, Ahmad al-Assad, governor of Tubas, announced to AFP. South of Jenin, two more Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the town of Qabatiya, according to Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rob. Later in the day, three Palestinians were killed in the same town of Qabatiyah in a “another attack by the occupying forces”said the Ministry of Health.
The French Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Middle East on Wednesday
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot will visit Israel and the Palestinian territories. In addition to the ceasefire, the head of French diplomacy wants to insist on “respect for international law”, he insisted on the “4 V” set on France 2, Tuesday.
