The Israel Defense Forces confirmed this Saturday the death of eight of its soldiers in southern Gaza in the Deadliest attack on Israeli forces in months. The soldiers They lost their lives in an explosion, the Army has said, without giving more details. In January, 21 Israeli soldiers were killed in a single attack by Palestinian militants in Gaza.
Last month, Israel’s Supreme Court ordered the end of government subsidies for many ultra-Orthodox men who do not serve in the Army. No new bill has been passed, but the Prime Minister’s coalition Benjamin Netanyahu voted this week in favor of expand exemptions for religious men. Although the vote was only procedural, it caused a stir and some controversy when it was approved during a war in which hundreds of soldiers have died and many others remain inside Gaza or on the front against the militants of Hezbollah in Lebanon.
He Israel coalition government It contains a powerful bloc of ultra-Orthodox parties that have been longtime partners of Netanyahu.
More than 37,000 dead and 80% of the Gazan population displaced
Israel’s bombings and ground offensives in Gaza They have killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian officials, who They do not give a breakdown of civilians and combatants. The war has also driven around 80% of the population of 2.3 million from their homes, and Israeli restrictions and ongoing fighting have hampered efforts to deliver humanitarian aid, fueling widespread hunger.
Israel launched its campaign after Hamas and other militants stormed into Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 peoplemostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostages. More than 100 hostages were freed during a week-long ceasefire last year in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Hamas is believed to be holding around 80 hostages and the remains of another 40.
After months of ceasefire negotiations, common ground between Israel and Hamas has not yet been found. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Hamas proposed changes to a US-backed plan, some of which he said were “workable” and some of which were not.
Hamas has continually called for a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza as part of any agreement that allows the hostages to be released. While the proposal announced by US President Joe Biden includes these two provisions, Hamas has expressed concern about whether Israel will commit to them.
