Daily Archives: 23 August 2026

Israeli military officials suspect Netanyahu may seek escalation to delay elections: Israeli media

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem on December 9, 2024. [Photo by MAYA ALLERUZZO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images]

Senior Israeli military officials suspect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may seek to escalate the situation in the Gaza Strip in an attempt to disrupt or delay the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections, Israeli media reported.

Israeli daily Maariv cited assessments within the upper ranks of the Israeli army that Netanyahu does not want the current conflicts to come to an end and could seek renewed escalation in Gaza as the election approaches.

According to the report, senior military officials are increasingly concerned that political considerations could influence decisions on further military action.

Officers have made clear that the army does not intend to be drawn into another conflict without a clear security necessity, saying: “We will not enter a new and unnecessary war.”

The reported concerns come amid growing debate in Israel over Netanyahu’s handling of the country’s multiple fronts and accusations from opposition figures that he is using security issues for political purposes ahead of the election.

READ: Israeli premier turns to anti-Turkiye campaign as polls show Likud losing ground

Netanyahu has recently stepped up his rhetoric against Turkiye following an Israeli attack on the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northern Syria.

Israeli opposition figures, including former Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Democrats party leader Yair Golan, have accused Netanyahu of deliberately escalating tensions with Ankara for political considerations.

Israeli security officials have also reportedly warned against an “unnecessary” escalation with Turkiye, expressing concern that public statements by Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz could further inflame tensions.

The reported disagreement with the military comes as Netanyahu faces a difficult electoral landscape, with recent opinion polls showing his governing bloc falling short of the parliamentary majority needed to form a government.

Israel is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections in October.

READ: Growing international pressure puts Israel under diplomatic strain: Israeli media

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes' concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country's economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes’ concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country’s economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.

Continue ReadingIsraeli military officials suspect Netanyahu may seek escalation to delay elections: Israeli media

Growing international pressure puts Israel under diplomatic strain: Israeli media

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Displaced Palestinians, including children, wait in queues for food distributed by World Central Kitchen (WCK), the US-based international volunteer aid organization which had suspended its activities for a while after the Israeli army targeted and killed its employees, in Bani Suheyle town, east of Khan Yunis, Gaza on June 10, 2024. [Hani Alshaer – Anadolu Agency]

Israel is facing mounting diplomatic pressure from several of its traditional partners over its policies in the occupied Palestinian territories and military actions in the region, with Israeli media describing the country’s international standing as increasingly strained.

Israeli news outlet Ynet reported Friday that a series of statements and measures from Australia, Britain, Canada, Germany and other countries in recent days had highlighted Israel’s growing international isolation, particularly in its relations with Europe.

The report pointed to criticism over Israel’s settlement plans in the occupied West Bank, its decision not to pursue a criminal investigation into the killing of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers in Gaza, and its latest military action in Syria.

Six European countries condemned Israel’s plans for construction in the E1 area near the illegal Ma’ale Adumim settlement, according to Ynet.

The E1 project has long drawn international criticism because construction in the area would further fragment the occupied West Bank and undermine the territorial continuity of a future Palestinian state.

Britain, meanwhile, is considering additional measures against Israel over the settlement plans, the report said.

European officials have warned that construction in E1 poses an “existential threat” to the two-state solution, though some have also expressed concern that punitive measures ahead of Israel’s Oct. 27 election could strengthen Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing allies.

Western countries condemn decision on WCK killings

Australia, Britain and Canada also issued a joint condemnation after the Israeli military decided not to open a criminal investigation into the April 2024 strikes that killed seven WCK employees in Gaza.

The three countries described the decision as “shameful” and said the victims and their families deserved justice and accountability.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong separately expressed “outrage” over the decision, while Canada called it “unacceptable” and Britain said it was “appalled and angry” on behalf of the families of three British nationals killed in the attack.

READ: Gaza ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ undermining support even in ‘pro-Israel’ nations: Poland

Poland, whose citizen was also among those killed, expressed disappointment and called on Israeli authorities to cooperate with a Polish investigation.

The aid workers were killed when Israeli forces repeatedly struck their clearly marked convoy in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military acknowledged failures in the operation but concluded that the commanders’ actions did not raise reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct.

US criticism over Syria strike

The diplomatic pressure has also extended to Israel’s actions in Syria amid rising tensions with Turkiye.

Ynet highlighted criticism from the US following an Israeli strike on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur military airbase, which has fueled tensions between Israel and Turkiye.

US Ambassador to Turkiye and Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack said Washington’s intelligence agencies had found no evidence supporting Israeli claims that Turkiye was moving military assets into the Syrian base.

The developments come amid growing debate inside Israel over Netanyahu’s foreign policy as the country heads toward parliamentary elections.

Recent Israeli analyses have increasingly focused on whether military and diplomatic confrontations could become part of Netanyahu’s election strategy.

Ynet has reported that concerns are growing that military escalation could be used for political gain, while another analysis said Netanyahu may have an incentive to portray resistance to international pressure as a political asset ahead of the vote.

Israel’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for Oct. 27.

READ: Israeli premier turns to anti-Turkiye campaign as polls show Likud losing ground

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes' concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country's economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes’ concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country’s economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.

Continue ReadingGrowing international pressure puts Israel under diplomatic strain: Israeli media

Gaza ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ undermining support even in ‘pro-Israel’ nations: Poland

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski gives a speech in Warsaw, Mazovian Voivodeship, Poland, on February 26, 2026. [Artur Widak – Anadolu Agency]

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said the “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza and the failure to ensure accountability for the Israeli military’s “excessive use of force” were undermining public support even in nations supportive of Israel.

“Partnership requires mutual respect,” Sikorski said Thursday on US social media company X.

“The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, as well as the failure of accountability for IDF’s excessive use of force are undermining public support in even pro-Israel nations,” he added.

His comments came as Poland’s Foreign Ministry expressed “great disappointment” over Israeli military authorities’ decision to discontinue proceedings into the April 1, 2024 shelling of a World Central Kitchen humanitarian aid convoy in the Gaza Strip that killed Polish citizen Damian Sobol.

READ: UN: 94 % of Gaza residents need shelter and basic household supplies

The ministry said the Israeli ambassador in Warsaw was summoned following the decision, which Poland was informed of on Aug. 19.

Warsaw conveyed a critical assessment of the steps taken so far to establish the circumstances of the incident and said it expected Israel to provide Polish authorities with all necessary explanations and materials requested by Polish investigators.

The District Prosecutor’s Office in Przemysl is conducting a parallel investigation into the case, the ministry said.

“The circumstances in which the tragedy occurred in 2024 should be fully clarified,” it said, adding that it did not accept “the perpetrators’ evasion of legal and moral responsibility.”

“The families deserve appropriate redress,” the ministry added.

OPINION: A roadmap for Gaza and Palestine

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes' concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country's economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes’ concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country’s economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.

Continue ReadingGaza ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ undermining support even in ‘pro-Israel’ nations: Poland

UK, Australia, Canada call Israel’s decision to close World Central Kitchen strike probe ‘shameful’

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Bodies of foreign employees of the US-based international volunteer aid organization World Central Kitchen (WCK), who were killed after an Israeli attack on a vehicle belonging to WCK, are taken to En-Neccar Hospital in Rafah city, Gaza on April 03, 2024. [Yasser Qudaih – Anadolu Agency]

The UK, Australia and Canada on Friday called Israel’s decision not to pursue a criminal investigation into the deadly 2024 strike on a World Central Kitchen (WCK) convoy in Gaza “shameful.”

In a joint statement, the foreign ministries of the three countries said they spent more than two years pressing Israel to swiftly and thoroughly examine the case and hold those responsible to account.

“The announcement by the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) on 19 August 2026 that it would not pursue criminal investigations into this strike, without further explanation, is shameful,” the statement said.

The statement noted that the announcement on World Humanitarian Day, when the world honored the courage and sacrifice of humanitarians, was “particularly egregious.”

“This decision is both too little, and too late. The victims of this incident and their families deserve justice and accountability, and we will continue to seek answers on their behalf.”

READ: Israel FM invokes Balfour Declaration in rebuttal to UK criticism of West Bank settlement plans

The countries called on Israel to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law, and said it must do more to ensure that humanitarian workers can carry out their duties safely.

“The World Central Kitchen attack is one of countless incidents in Gaza where there has been no accountability,” said the statement, recalling that Gaza remains the deadliest place to deliver aid, with 186 humanitarian workers killed in 2025.

Meanwhile, Stephen Doughty, British minister for Middle East, said Thursday that the UK raised this with the Israeli authorities and “will continue to push for urgent answers.”

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it would investigate two suspected war crimes cases in the Gaza Strip while closing three other high-profile investigations, including the 2024 WCK strike that killed seven aid workers.

READ: WCK volunteer killed in Israeli strike on Gaza

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the
despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes' concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country's economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes’ concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country’s economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.

Continue ReadingUK, Australia, Canada call Israel’s decision to close World Central Kitchen strike probe ‘shameful’