Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz have agreed to form an emergency government in an effort to enhance security decision-making. Gantz, a former head of the army and defence minister, will join Netanyahu’s government, along with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The formation of a war cabinet consisting of Netanyahu, Gantz, and Gallant was agreed upon after a brief meeting in Tel Aviv earlier today. This development marks a significant shift in Israeli political alignments, albeit temporarily.

Gantz had been demanding Netanyahu’s resignation, citing the prime minister’s alleged embrace of extremists, his ongoing corruption trial, and the coalition’s attempts to weaken judicial oversight on the government. Gantz had been advocating for a war cabinet with substantial influence over war management.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, Hamas’s armed wing has claimed responsibility for a missile strike on Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Due to security concerns, a British Airways flight that was scheduled to land at the airport was diverted. The Al Qassam Brigades stated that the attack was in response to the targeting of civilians by Israel. Following the incident, British Airways has suspended all flights to Tel Aviv, prioritising passenger safety.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has confirmed that three Canadians died in Israel over the weekend, and three others are still missing. Joly stated that over 4,700 Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank have registered with the government.

In the occupied West Bank, health officials report that at least three Palestinians have been killed and nine others injured by Israeli soldiers and settlers in Qusra, south of Nablus.

Furthermore, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne expressed concern over several French children who are likely being held hostage in the Gaza Strip. Borne stated, “I want to have a special thought for the French victims [in Israel] and for our missing compatriots, whose situation is extremely worrying. Among them, several children, probably kidnapped.” Ten French individuals have been confirmed dead in the attacks in Israel, while eighteen, including children, remain missing. The exact number of hostages being held in Gaza following the Saturday attack remains unknown.