Israeli Cabinet Approves Peace Council for Gaza Amid Internal Disagreement

On July 26, the Israeli cabinet approved the establishment of a "Peace Council" for Gaza, a decision that sparked internal dissent among ministers. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir opposed the move, citing Hamas's failure to disarm and fulfill commitments, and advocated for encouraging emigration from Gaza instead. Conversely, Defense Ministry Minister Bezalel Smotrich supported the decision, despite opposition from his party colleague, Minister Orit Strook, who warned that a new Gaza would be a disaster.

During the cabinet discussion, Minister Gideon Sa'ar acknowledged the possibility of failure but emphasized the importance of not undermining the initiative. Minister Gilad Erdan recalled a prior agreement to deploy international forces to Gaza contingent on the release of hostages. Strook highlighted the international consensus as the only positive aspect but criticized Hamas for not honoring its commitments.

Meanwhile, military operations continue in Gaza's interior. The IDF spokesperson reported the killing of Ma'am Eid, commander of Hamas's drone unit in central Gaza, responsible for manufacturing aerial weapons and restoring the group's air capabilities. This ongoing conflict underscores the complex security challenges facing Israel amid political efforts to manage Gaza's future.