Latest news with #Lapid
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Israeli opposition chief calls Gaza takeover plan 'disastrous'
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said the security cabinet's approval to take over Gaza City was a "disaster that will lead to many more disasters," Haaretz reported. According to Lapid, far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich convinced the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into "a move that will kill the hostages and many soldiers, will cost Israeli taxpayers tens of billions and will destroy Israel's diplomatic relations". "This is exactly what Hamas wanted: For Israel to end up stuck in Gaza without a goal, in a useless occupation, the point of which no one understands," he said.
Filipino Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Lapid backs archiving of Duterte impeachment case but urges her to address allegations
Sen. Lito Lapid voted in favor of archiving the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte but maintained that she should still answer the accusations raised against her in the House of Representatives. When casting his 'yes' vote on the Senate floor, Lapid gave a brief explanation: 'Mr. President, I respect and honor the Supreme Court. My vote is yes,' he told Senate President Francis Escudero in Filipino. 'The Senate's decision to archive the impeachment case against VP Duterte does not imply guilt or innocence. It is still better that she be heard and given the opportunity to explain her side regarding the allegations made by the House of Representatives,' Lapid said. The House impeachment complaint, signed by 215 lawmakers and transmitted to the Senate on February 5, included allegations that Duterte misused multimillion-peso confidential funds during her tenure as vice president and concurrently as secretary of education. The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, convened on June 10 and issued summons to the parties involved. However, just days before the opening of the 20th Congress on July 28, the Supreme Court ruled the complaint unconstitutional for violating the one-year ban on filing impeachment cases. The House has since filed a motion for reconsideration before the high court. 'Should the Supreme Court grant the House's motion for reconsideration, the Senate stands ready to resume the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President,' Lapid said. He added that debating whether to continue the trial now would be pointless, as it would run counter to the Supreme Court's ruling. Lapid concluded by appealing for peace and unity, saying the country should focus on addressing more urgent issues affecting the Filipino people.
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Latest: Israel to displace half of Gaza population in new occupation plan
Israel's plan to reoccupy Gaza expected to be approved on Thursday Lapid warns Netanyahu against occupying Gaza Israeli attacks on Gaza kill 20 including five seeking aid Four more Palestinians die from hunger in Gaza, says Health Ministry Hezbollah says it will ignore Lebanese cabinet plan to disarm group At least 61,158 Palestinians killed and 151,442 wounded since Gaza war began
United News of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Israeli military-political command divided over PM Netanyahu's plans to conquer Gaza, warns of heavy casualties
Jerusalem, Aug 6 (UNI) Amidst Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to fully occupy Gaza, much friction has emerged between the political and military establishment in the country, with senior military officials warning the premier that a full occupation of the Gaza Strip could result in heavy casualties among Israeli forces and endanger the lives of remaining hostages. The warning comes amid growing concerns over Netanyahu's reported push to seize complete control of the enclave, where the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) already hold over 75% of the territory, reports Times of Israel. According to Israeli broadcaster Kan, defence officials have estimated that such an operation could result in 'dozens' of soldiers being killed and many more wounded. They further cautioned that a sweeping ground campaign could jeopardise the lives of hostages under Hamas custody, particularly in areas the IDF has avoided due to this very fear. The move has created friction even among Netanyahu's supporters within the Israeli military leadership and its political command, with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir having reportedly advised the adoption of more cautioned and restrained approach. Lt Gen Zamir had proposed the encirclement of Gaza City rather than launch a full-scale military occupation to avoid both losses and structural damage. Netanyahu, however, is said to have rejected this recommendation and ordered plans to move ahead with the full military conquest. The Israeli PM's plans have also drawn criticism from opposition leaders, including from both Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Opposition leader Yair Lapid, latter of whom terming the Israeli PM's plans 'a very bad idea.' Speaking during a security briefing, Lapid reportedly told Netanyahu that the Israeli public does not support such a move and warned that the cost — both in human lives and economically — would be too high. 'You don't send the State of Israel to war unless the majority of the people are behind you,' Lapid told Netanyahu. 'The price will be too heavy.' He urged the government to consider an alternative solution, suggesting that Arab states could take over the administration of Gaza, allowing Israel to focus on neutralising Hamas operatives, instead of getting entangled in prolonged occupation. Netanyahu, who held a three-hour security discussion with top officials yesterday, is expected to present the plan to the full security cabinet for approval today. Despite the military's warnings and the political command urging for alternatives, the cabinet is reportedly poised to greenlight the move. UNI XC ANV GNK
Jordan News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Jordan News
Lapid Accuses Netanyahu's Government of Dragging Israel into ‘Eternal War' in Gaza - Jordan News
Lapid Accuses Netanyahu's Government of Dragging Israel into 'Eternal War' in Gaza Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid warned on Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is dragging Tel Aviv into an 'eternal war' in the Gaza Strip. اضافة اعلان Since October 7, 2023, Israel—backed by the United States—has been waging a genocidal war in Gaza involving mass killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, all while disregarding international appeals and rulings by the International Court of Justice demanding a ceasefire. The war has resulted in over 210,000 Palestinian casualties, including martyrs and injured—mostly women and children—more than 9,000 missing persons, hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians, and widespread famine that has claimed the lives of many, including dozens of children. According to Army Radio, Lapid stated, 'The government's political leadership is dragging us into an endless war in Gaza without retrieving the hostages,' referring to the Israeli captives. Tel Aviv estimates that there are around 50 Israeli hostages in Gaza, about 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Meanwhile, Israel holds over 10,800 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom face torture, starvation, and medical neglect, leading to several deaths, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights reports. Lapid, while defending the initial military response, said: 'We were right to go to war, but it has now become pointless. It's crushing our international efforts and failing to bring back the hostages.' He also warned that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir are pushing for reoccupation of the Gaza Strip. On Sunday, Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi (mentioned as Eyal Zamir in the article) cautioned that 'any large-scale military operation in Gaza could endanger the lives of the Israeli hostages,' according to Israeli media. Channel 13 reported that this warning comes as the government considers expanding military operations in Gaza after indirect negotiations with Hamas stalled. Security sources told the channel that the army is exploring options including taking control of additional areas in Gaza, such as Gaza City and central refugee camps, or surrounding and isolating them to pressure Hamas. Last week, Israel withdrew from indirect negotiations with Hamas in Doha, due to its refusal to commit to withdrawing from Gaza, ending the war, addressing the issue of Palestinian detainees, and allowing an effective mechanism for humanitarian aid. According to a recent poll by the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies, 52% of Israelis hold their government fully or partially responsible for failing to reach a deal with Hamas. Hamas has repeatedly stated its willingness to release all Israeli captives in exchange for ending the genocide, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners. Meanwhile, opposition figures and families of the hostages accuse Netanyahu—wanted by the International Criminal Court—of pursuing partial deals to prolong the war and cling to power, fearing his government would collapse if the far-right faction withdrew over ending the conflict. For decades, Israel has occupied Palestinian land as well as territories in Syria and Lebanon, and continues to reject withdrawal or the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the pre-1967 borders. — (Anadolu Agency)
