From the Liveblog of
Monday, October 21, 2024
Ministers don’t give PM, Gallant authority to decide on Iran strike timing, hear anti-UNRWA bill could jeopardize UN membership
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
The six-hour security cabinet last night did not give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant the authority to decide on the timing of a strike on Iran, as had been expected, according to Yedioth Ahronot.
The two want to give the green light for Israel’s response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack at the last minute, as was the case in the strike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, according to the outlet.
According to Yedioth, ministers expressed frustration at the ostensibly “weak response” to the drone attack on Netanyahu’s house last week, which they believe Iran approved. Members of the security services responded that they only execute the directives of the political echelon.
The minister also discussed the hostage issue at length.
They heard from officials handling negotiations that Hamas’s demands have not changed in the wake of the killing of leader Yahya Sinwar, according to Army Radio.
That may change, however, once Hamas’s new leadership emerges.
At the same time, Ynet reports that there was some optimism at the meeting on the chances for progress on a hostage deal, and ministers were told that Qatar would play a more central role moving forward.
Army Radio also reports that the ministers discussed how to move forward on humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, in light of a letter from the US secretaries of state and defense warning of potential disruptions to some arms transfers if more aid is not let in to Gaza.
The US is pushing for hundreds more trucks per day, and is concerned about Israeli legislation that would bar UNRWA from operating in Israel.
According to Ynet, the Foreign Ministry presented the dangers of passing the UNRWA legislation, which is supported by 100 MKs. One of the dangers is that Israel would be found in violation of the UN charter and could be expelled.
Ministers expressed frustration that the dangers weren’t made clear before the legislation began moving through the Knesset.
Netanyahu turned 75 at midnight, and the marathon cabinet meeting paused so ministers could offer their well-wishes for the year ahead.
