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Netanyahu’s Hard-Line Ally Welcomes Return to Fighting in Gaza 

Palestinians make their way to flee their homes, after the Israel army issued evacuation orders for a number of neighborhoods, following heavy Israeli strikes, in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 2025. (Reuters)
Palestinians make their way to flee their homes, after the Israel army issued evacuation orders for a number of neighborhoods, following heavy Israeli strikes, in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 2025. (Reuters)
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Netanyahu’s Hard-Line Ally Welcomes Return to Fighting in Gaza 

Palestinians make their way to flee their homes, after the Israel army issued evacuation orders for a number of neighborhoods, following heavy Israeli strikes, in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 2025. (Reuters)
Palestinians make their way to flee their homes, after the Israel army issued evacuation orders for a number of neighborhoods, following heavy Israeli strikes, in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 2025. (Reuters)

A key governing partner of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the return to fighting in Gaza.

Bezalel Smotrich had threatened to leave the government if fighting did not resume, which would imperil Netanyahu’s rule. Critics said those political considerations were influencing Netanyahu’s wartime decision-making.

"We remained in the government for this moment despite our opposition to the (ceasefire) deal, and we are more determined than ever to complete the task and destroy Hamas," Smotrich posted on X.

Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing at least 326 Palestinians, including women and children, according to hospital officials. The surprise bombardment shattered a ceasefire in place since January and threatened to fully reignite the 17-month-old war.

Netanyahu ordered the strikes after Hamas refused Israeli demands to change the ceasefire agreement. Officials said the operation was open-ended and was expected to expand. The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israel's actions.

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Italian MPs Protest at Egypt's Gaza Border Against War

Italian and European parliament members hold placards during a protest in front of the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, calling for an end to the war and for aid to be allowed into the Gaza Strip, on May 18, 2025. (AFP)
Italian and European parliament members hold placards during a protest in front of the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, calling for an end to the war and for aid to be allowed into the Gaza Strip, on May 18, 2025. (AFP)
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Italian MPs Protest at Egypt's Gaza Border Against War

Italian and European parliament members hold placards during a protest in front of the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, calling for an end to the war and for aid to be allowed into the Gaza Strip, on May 18, 2025. (AFP)
Italian and European parliament members hold placards during a protest in front of the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, calling for an end to the war and for aid to be allowed into the Gaza Strip, on May 18, 2025. (AFP)

Italian parliamentarians protested on Sunday in front of Egypt's Rafah border crossing with Gaza, calling for aid access and an end to the war in the devastated Palestinian territory.

"Europe is not doing enough, nothing to stop the massacre," Cecilia Strada, an Italian member of the European parliament, told AFP.

The group, including 11 members of the Italian parliament, three MEPs and representatives of NGOs, held signs reading "Stop genocide now", "End illegal occupation" and "Stop arming Israel".

"There should be a complete embargo on weapons to and from Israel and a stop to trade with illegal settlements," Strada said.

The protesters laid toys on the ground in solidarity with Gaza's children, who the UN warns face "a growing risk of starvation, illness and death" more than two months into a total Israeli aid blockade.

At least 15,000 children have been killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, according to the United Nations.

Israel has faced mounting pressure to lift its aid blockade, as UN agencies warn of critical shortages of food, clean water, fuel and medicines.

It resumed its offensive on March 18, ending a two-month truce in its war against Hamas triggered by the Palestinian group's October 2023 attack on Israel.

On Saturday Israel announced an expanded military campaign, killing dozens of people in new strikes.

"We hear the bombs right now," Walter Massa, president of Italian non-profit organization Associazione Ricreativa Culturale Italiana, told AFP near the crossing.

"The Israeli army continues to do what it believes is right in the face of an international community that does not intervene, and in Gaza, beyond the Rafah crossing border, people continue to die," he said.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said Saturday said he was "alarmed" at the escalation and called for "a permanent ceasefire, now".

Italy's government on Saturday reiterated its calls to Israel to stop attacking Gaza, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani saying: "Enough with the attacks."

"We no longer want to see the Palestinian people suffer," Tajani said.

Gaza's health ministry said Sunday 3,193 people have been killed since Israel resumed its strikes on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 53,339.