Tel Aviv [Israel], October 11 (ANI/TPS): Coalition and government leaders announced the formation of an emergency national unity government on Wednesday. The move followed a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and key opposition figure MK Benny Gantz of the National Unity Party in Tel Aviv. A Knesset swearing-in ceremony may take place as soon as Wednesday night.

According to the agreement, a war cabinet will be established to include Netanyahu, Gantz and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, while Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Knesset member Gadi Eisenkot, a member of Gantz’s party, will serve as observers. Gantz, Eisenkot and MK Gideon Sa’ar will be sworn in as ministers without portfolio.

Government decisions and legislation not related to the war — including a controversial judicial reform initiative — will be suspended and senior appointments will be automatically extended.

“Thank God there is a unity government for the State of Israel. Now, we are all together for victory in the war and the complete destruction of Hamas and Jihad in Gaza,” Culture and Sport Minster Miki Zohar said, ahead of the official announcement. “This is what the people of Israel expected from us because only together will we win.”

Netanyahu’s coalition party partners on Tuesday endorsed the establishment of an “emergency national government” on Tuesday. The move comes on the heels of a deadly Hamas assault on Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces have been battling terrorists in Southern Israel while also rocket fire from Gaza and escalating tensions along the Lebanese border. The death toll from the attack — the worst in Israeli history — stands at 1,200.

In the hours following Saturday’s unprecedented attack, Netanyahu invited opposition leader Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid, together with Gantz to join an emergency government. Netanyahu’s call for unity cited a similar emergency government formed between then-Prime Minister Levi Eshkol and opposition leader Menachem Begin on the eve of the 1967 Six-Day War.

Lapid said that a unity government would send a message to Israel’s enemies and the world that Israel stands united behind the IDF. However, he also signaled that he would only join on condition that far-right members of Netanyahu’s coalition be sidelined or ousted, specifically Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism Party and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Otzma Yehudit Party. (ANI/TPS)

US advises its citizens to reconsider travel to Israel

Washington, DC [US], October 12 (ANI): In the wake of deadly Hamas attacks on Israel, the US State Department has advised Americans to reconsider travelling to Israel. The travel advisory for the West Bank has also been raised to level 3, while the advisory for Gaza remains at the most severe – “Level 4: Do Not Travel.”

“On October 11, 2023, the Department of State raised the Travel Advisory Level for Israel and the West Bank to Level 3 – Reconsider Travel. The Travel Advisory for Gaza remains Level 4 – Do Not Travel. This replaces the previous Travel Advisory issued on October 3, 2023,” the department’s official statement said.

The agency raised its travel advisory to level 3, citing the terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continuing to plot “possible attacks in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza”.
Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Violence can occur in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza without warning. There has been a marked increase in demonstrations throughout Israel, some with little or no warning, the statement added.

“Individuals should follow the instructions of security and emergency response officials,” the updated travel advisory said. “While Ben Gurion International Airport remains open, we are aware that several major airlines have announced that they have suspended flights,” the advisory states, adding, “Please check with the airlines on the availability of flights and flight status. US citizens in Gaza who wish to leave and can do so safely are advised to check the status of the Rafah Crossing into Egypt.”

In a major escalation on October 7, Hamas launched a “surprise attack” on Israel, firing a barrage of rockets into the southern and central parts of the country. On Wednesday, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said that 1,200 Israelis have been killed and over 2,700 wounded while emphasising that the Israeli soldiers are ready to execute the mission in Gaza.
As the US administration continues its efforts to support Israel and deploy military assets to the region, various US government agencies are working behind the scenes to construct an accurate assessment of the situation on the ground.
During a recent roundtable discussion with members of the Jewish community at the White House, President Joe Biden assured his unwavering commitment to hostage rescue efforts. He emphasized that while the administration is actively addressing the crisis, specific details cannot be disclosed as it could jeopardize their safe return.
Biden also issued a stark warning to Iran to “be careful” around its actions in the region following Hamas attack on Israel.
“The US is surging additional military assistance to the Israeli Defense Force including ammunition, interceptors to replenish the Iron Dome, we moved the US carrier fleet to the eastern Mediterranean and are sending more fighter jets there, to that region, and made it clear, made it clear to the Iranians – be careful,” Biden said. (ANI)