Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a political shockwave, declaring that elections are likely before the end of the year while doubling down on his vow that Gaza “will be demilitarised” and Hamas will be forced to disarm—“the easy way or the hard way.” Speaking at a tense cabinet meeting, he also rejected any Palestinian state west of the Jordan River and condemned violent incidents involving ultra-Orthodox protesters and West Bank settlers. As Israel’s internal tensions rise and Gaza’s future remains uncertain.
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