Netanyahu's government

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he will convene the cabinet early this week to "approve the operational plans for action in Rafah," with domestic pressure on the government to bring the captives home mounting.

Israel's war cabinet has discussed the next steps for negotiations towards a hostage deal and ceasefire in its war with Hamas, as concern deepens over the increasingly desperate situation faced by civilians in the devastated Gaza Strip.

In a significant diplomatic development, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for the establishment of a unified Palestinian-led government in Gaza and the West Bank following the cessation of hostilities, marking a crucial step towards Palestinian statehood.

Tens of thousands of Israelis staged a spontaneous protest after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired the defense minister over his opposition to controversial judicial reform.

Ever since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took over, both he and his coalition partners as well as the country itself have come under unprecedented and vicious attacks, with accusations of radicalism, right-wing extremism and apartheid being thrown their way without any evidence and without any due process, let alone facts.

Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to protest plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government to overhaul the judicial system, measures that opponents say imperil the country's democratic foundation.

Israeli media, citing police, said some 100,000 people were out protesting.

The Palestinians slammed Israelis on March 18 for voting for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rightwing Likud party, saying they had chosen "occupation and settlement building" over peace talks.
      

Violence flared in Jerusalem as angry Palestinian youths clashed with Israeli police following the kidnap and murder of a Palestinian teen in an apparent revenge attack, prompting international calls for calm.

Hundreds of masked Palestinians July 2 hurled stones at Israeli riot police, who responded by firing rubber bullets, tear gas and sound bombs. Clashes continued into the night.