Israeli PM sets stage for key cabinet vote on Gaza war objectives

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the country’s cabinet will convene this week to determine the Israel Defence Forces’ next course of action in the ongoing war in Gaza, amid mounting domestic divisions and external pressure to secure a ceasefire and hostage-release deal.

Speaking at the outset of his weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of unity in achieving Israel’s war aims. “We must continue to stand together and fight together in order to achieve them,” he said in pre-recorded remarks released by his office, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

The prime minister reiterated the core objectives of the war as “the defeat of the enemy, the release of our hostages, and ensuring that Gaza will never again pose a threat to Israel.”

His comments follow reports of internal disagreements within his government, with some ministers pushing for an escalation in ground operations in Gaza, while others favor a temporary restraint in hopes of facilitating negotiations with Hamas. Despite these tensions, Netanyahu dismissed prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough, stating over the weekend that Hamas remains uninterested in any deal — further strengthening the rationale, in his view, for dismantling the organization by force.

“We are in the midst of an intense war, in which we have achieved very significant, even historic, accomplishments — precisely because we were not divided, because we stood together and fought together,” he said, urging the cabinet and public to maintain solidarity.

In parallel with military considerations, Netanyahu also sought to project a sense of long-term strategic planning and resilience. “At the same time, we continue to build our land,” he said, announcing that the cabinet would approve “two very important plans for the rehabilitation and development” of southern Israeli cities severely affected by the conflict.

Joined by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Netanyahu unveiled a NIS 3.2 billion ($939 million) package aimed at rebuilding and revitalizing cities such as Ashkelon, Ofakim, and Netivot — areas that have borne the brunt of rocket attacks and displacement since the October 7 Hamas-led assault triggered the war.

However, Sunday’s cabinet meeting unfolded against a backdrop of growing political unrest. Outside the Prime Minister’s Office, hundreds of demonstrators gathered to protest an expected vote on a controversial motion to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

By Vafa Guliyeva