Netanyahu disbands war Cabinet as Israel begins daily truces

Israeli officials on Monday said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dissolved the nation’s war Cabinet a week after his rival Benny Gantz stepped down from the council. The six-member body had been overseeing the war in Gaza. Netanyahu is expected to consult a small group of ministers about the war, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. Both men had been in the war Cabinet. The nation’s security council will make decisions about the war, an Israeli official anonymously told numerous media outlets. Netanyahu’s office said in a Monday statement that the security council met to discuss responses against the Palestinian Authority following its actions against Israel in international bodies.

Why is Israel instituting tactical pauses? The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday said it would suspend daytime military operations near a border crossing and along an aid route in southern Gaza. The pauses will take place every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The pauses are meant to help humanitarian aid into the region, according to the IDF.

Netanyahu reportedly criticized the plan, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the decision had not been presented to the war Cabinet for approval.

What else is happening in the war? Eight Israeli soldiers died Saturday when their armored carrier vehicle exploded in what Hamas said was a prepared minefield near the southern city of Rafah. Despite pauses for humanitarian aid, fighting will continue in Rafah, said IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report in The Sift about why Hamas rejected a cease-fire proposal.