Israel’s Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Tuesday that the military must start drafting ultra-Orthodox men for military service. This decision could potentially lead to the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition as Israel is currently involved in a war in Gaza.
In Israel, most Jewish men and women are required to serve mandatory military service when they reach the age of 18. However, the ultra-Orthodox community traditionally received exemptions if they were studying full-time in religious seminaries. These exemptions caused outrage among the wider general public, especially as many soldiers lost their lives in the war with Hamas.
There is a growing divide between Israel and Hamas over the terms of the cease-fire deal. Netanyahu has indicated that he will only accept a partial cease-fire deal which would not put an end to the ongoing eight-month-long war. Additionally, Israeli leaders are hinting at the possibility of a future conflict with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
The conflict in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’ attack on October 7, resulting in the death of approximately 1,200 individuals, mostly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 people. Since then, Israeli military actions have led to the deaths of over 37,600 individuals in Gaza. The Health Ministry in Gaza does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its death toll count.
There is increasing international criticism regarding Israel’s military campaign as Palestinians in Gaza are facing widespread hunger. The flow of essential resources like food, medicine, and basic goods to Gaza has been severely disrupted, making the region heavily reliant on aid. The United Nations has raised concerns about a possible risk of genocide in Gaza, a claim that Israel strongly refutes.
Current updates include:
— The Supreme Court of Israel ruling that ultra-Orthodox men must serve in the military.
— Netanyahu refusing to accept a deal that would put an end to the war in Gaza.
— Experts warning of a high risk of famine in Gaza despite increased aid efforts.
— Iranian presidential candidates discussing foreign policy ahead of the upcoming election.
— A statement from a WHO official regarding the insufficiency of the U.S.-built pier in Gaza for aid delivery.
— For the latest updates on the war in Gaza, follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.
Here are the latest developments:
Israel’s Supreme court rules that ultra-Orthodox men can no longer be exempt from the military draft
JERUSALEM — Israel’s Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the military must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men for military service. This decision has the potential to destabilize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition as the conflict in Gaza continues.
The court’s decision emphasized that without a law distinguishing between Jewish seminary students and other draftees, the compulsory military service system in Israel applies to the ultra-Orthodox community like any other citizens.
In the past, ultra-Orthodox men were exempt from the draft, which is mandatory for most Jewish men and women. These exemptions have been a source of tension among the secular population, especially during the current conflict.
Powerful ultra-Orthodox parties, critical allies in Netanyahu’s coalition, oppose any changes to the current system. If these exemptions are removed, they could withdraw from the coalition, leading to a collapse of the government and potentially new elections.
The timing of the court ruling is crucial as the conflict in Gaza persists, with an increasing number of casualties among Israeli soldiers.
Israeli strikes kill at least 21 people in Gaza City
CAIRO — Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City early on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least 21 people, including nine women and seven children, according to officials in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
The airstrikes targeted two schools converted into shelters and a residential home. The Hamas-run Civil Defense, responsible for emergency response after airstrikes, reported that Hamas militants were present in the school compounds, allegedly planning attacks against Israel and holding hostages taken from Israel.
One strike on the Abdel-Fattah Hamoud school in the Daraj neighborhood claimed the lives of at least eight individuals from the same family, including five children and their parents, according to the Civil Defense. Another strike hit the Asmaa school in the Shati refugee camp, killing at least 11 people, including women and children. A third strike on a family home in the Shijaiyah neighborhood resulted in the deaths of two women.
Israel has intensified its airstrikes on Gaza City in recent days, resulting in numerous casualties as Israeli ground forces engage with Palestinian militants in Rafah.
The conflict in Gaza began following Hamas’ attack on October 7, leading to the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of around 250 others. The offensive by Israel has resulted in over 37,000 Palestinian casualties and sparked a humanitarian crisis.
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