Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu built his reputation as a security hawk on the back of his service in an elite special forces unit that carried out some of Israel's most daring hostage rescues.
His legacy as his country's longest serving leader will now be shaped by one of the worst security failures it has known and by the fate of more than 200 hostages seized by Palestinian Hamas gunmen from Gaza who Israel says killed 1,400 people on the deadliest day of its 75-year-old history.
He has refused to accept responsibility, saying only that everyone will have to answer difficult questions when the war with Hamas is over, and in one of his rare press conferences, dismissed a question asking if he would resign.An Oct. 18-19 Maariv newspaper poll showed former Defence Minister Benny Gantz, an opposition centrist party head in a newly formed unity government, was favoured for prime minister by 48% of respondents, compared with only 28% for Netanyahu.
For now, political consequences have been put on hold as Israeli jets carry out airstrikes the Gaza health ministry says have killed more than 8,000 Palestinians and Israeli tanks have smashed their way deep into the blockaded enclave. "If the government will not deliver what it promised which is the eradication of Hamas, I am sure it will not be accepted - not by the public and not by the political system."Netanyahu, who burned through the goodwill even of allies like the United States in the battle over judicial reform, is viewed with deep suspicion in much of the world due to his alliance with hardline religious and nationalist parties.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israel-Hamas War Live Updates: Israel Says It Struck Jabalia Refugee Camp, Killing Hamas CommanderThe latest news on the escalating conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
Read more »
Miss Israel condemns Hamas regime in viral Instagram video: ‘Hamas is ISIS’A Miss Israel winner wore her military uniform and implored people around the world to note parallels between genocidal ISIS terrorists and the Hamas regime in Gaza.
Read more »
Israel pushes deeper into Gaza and frees Hamas captive; Netanyahu rejects calls for cease-fireThe Israeli military said a female soldier captured during Hamas’ brutal Oct. 7 incursion was rescued in Gaza — the first rescue since the weekslong war began.
Read more »
Israel-Hamas war live updates: Clashes inside Gaza; Netanyahu rejects cease-fireThis is additional taxonomy that helps us with analytics
Read more »
War plunged Israel’s agricultural heartlands into crisis, raising fears for its farming futureThe Israel-Hamas war has plunged Israel’s agricultural heartlands into crisis
Read more »
War plunged Israel’s agricultural heartlands into crisis, raising fears for its farming futureThe Israel-Hamas war has plunged Israel’s agricultural heartlands into crisis.
Read more »