As the International Criminal Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Israeli leaders from across the political spectrum united to condemn the decision pronounced by a three-judge panel of the United Nations court.
The death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, one of the masterminds behind the group’s horrific 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel, is no doubt a consequential moment in Israel’s yearlong war against Hamas.
President Joe Biden held a "direct," 30-minute phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, their first conversation in almost two months and a chance to confer over Israel's planned response to an Iranian ballistic missile attack.
He also greeted the people of Israel and the Jewish community across the world on their new year.
Speaking at the beginning of a security assessment meeting at the Air Force Command Center in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said the strikes were "shifting the balance of power" between Israel and Hezbollah.
Attendees carried placards comparing Netanyahu to Russian President Vladimir Putin and claiming that Israel was resembling semi-democratic Hungary and theocratic Iran.
Netanyahu made the announcement during a phone call to President Isaac Herzog, moments before a midnight deadline.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced last week that he is assigning the task of forming a new government to former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following consultations with leaders of all political parties elected to Parliament in the 1 November election.
Netanyahu will be taking up the position of Israel's Prime Minister for a record sixth time.
As the final thousands of votes were being tallied Thursday evening, Prime Minister Yair Lapid called opposition leader Netanyahu to concede the race and congratulate him on his election victory, The Times of Israel reported.
