Israeli Channel 12 reported on Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to establish a mini-security ministerial committee that includes National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. This comes after disagreements between Netanyahu and Ben Gvir, during which the Likud party, led by the Israeli Prime Minister, accused the National Security Minister of leaking state secrets.
For his part, the "Jewish Power" party, led by Ben Gvir, expressed support for a lie detector test for government members, including the Prime Minister, and has called for an investigation into Netanyahu’s accusations against Ben Gvir. According to the "Times of Israel," Netanyahu offered to include Ben Gvir in a limited group of cabinet members who receive security briefings (the mini-war cabinet), in exchange for his support of a controversial bill regulating the appointment of municipal rabbis.
Ben Gvir is a member of the security cabinet but not of the recently dissolved war cabinet and has reportedly complained throughout the war about being excluded from decision-making circles by the Prime Minister. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir affirmed his insistence on partnership in war management, stating that he would not continue in a government he described as raising the white flag if the war in the south and north does not continue.
Furthermore, Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid stated that the extremism of ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Betzalel Smotrich would lead to the government's collapse from within. Lapid criticized Netanyahu for blaming the U.S. administration, calling it political madness, and argued that Biden is broadly supporting Israel.
On another front, the Israeli Prime Minister announced that his country is at war on multiple fronts and faces significant challenges and difficult decisions, urging coalition leaders to exercise restraint. He emphasized that the time is not appropriate for narrow party politics and legislation that risks the coalition.
The "Wall Street Journal" reported, citing intermediaries in hostage negotiations and a U.S. official, that the number of living Israeli hostages may reach 50. The paper quoted Israeli sources stating that 66 hostages may have perished, which is 25 more than the number Israel has acknowledged fatalities for in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the United States informed Israel that Qatar had at one point approached imposing sanctions on Hamas to resume negotiations, as revealed by Israeli Channel "Kan." This follows reports earlier this month indicating that Qatar had given Hamas an ultimatum to accept a ceasefire proposal or face expulsion.
