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Israel Far Right Presses Netanyahu for Decisive Win Against Hamas

People protest against Israel and in solidarity with Palestinian children in Gaza, at Potsdamer Platz, in Berlin, Germany, August 3, 2025. REUTERS/Nadja Wohlleben/File Photo
People protest against Israel and in solidarity with Palestinian children in Gaza, at Potsdamer Platz, in Berlin, Germany, August 3, 2025. REUTERS/Nadja Wohlleben/File Photo
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Israel Far Right Presses Netanyahu for Decisive Win Against Hamas

People protest against Israel and in solidarity with Palestinian children in Gaza, at Potsdamer Platz, in Berlin, Germany, August 3, 2025. REUTERS/Nadja Wohlleben/File Photo
People protest against Israel and in solidarity with Palestinian children in Gaza, at Potsdamer Platz, in Berlin, Germany, August 3, 2025. REUTERS/Nadja Wohlleben/File Photo

Israel's far right pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to go harder against Hamas, ahead of a UN Security Council meeting Sunday on the premier's plan to conquer Gaza City.

Over 22 months into the war in Gaza, Israel is gripped by a yawning divide, pitting those calling for an end of the conflict along with a deal for the release of the hostages against others who want to see Hamas vanquished once and for all.

The debate has only intensified after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet announced plans Friday to expand the conflict and capture Gaza City.

While thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv Saturday night to protest the cabinet's decision, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich posted a video online, slamming Netanyahu's decision on Gaza as half-hearted, AFP reported.

"The prime minister and the cabinet gave in to weakness. Emotion overcame reason, and they once again chose to do more of the same -- launching a military operation whose goal is not decisive victory, but rather to apply limited pressure on Hamas in order to bring about a partial hostage deal," Smotrich said.

"They decided once again to repeat the same approach, embarking on a military operation that does not aim for a decisive resolution."

Netanyahu is scheduled to hold a press conference with international media at 4:30 pm local time (13:30 GMT) on Sunday -- his first since the security cabinet decision.

The far-right members of Netanyahu's cabinet, including Smotrich, have maintained considerable influence in the premier's coalition government throughout the war -- with their support seen as vital to holding at least 61 seats for a parliamentary majority.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, also of the far right, told Kan radio on Sunday: "It is possible to achieve victory. I want all of Gaza, transfer and colonisation. This plan will not endanger the troops."

In Tel Aviv, demonstrators held up pictures of hostages still in Gaza, calling on the government to secure their release.

"We will end with a direct message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: if you invade parts of Gaza and the hostages are murdered, we will pursue you in the town squares, in election campaigns and at every time and place," Shahar Mor Zahiro, the relative of a slain hostage, told AFP.

The cabinet's decision to expand the war in Gaza has meanwhile touched off a wave of criticism across the globe.

On Sunday, the UN Security Council is set to meet to discuss the latest development.

Foreign powers, including some of Israel's allies, have been pushing for a negotiated truce to secure the hostages' return and help alleviate a humanitarian crisis in the territory following repeated warnings of famine taking hold.

Despite the backlash and rumors of dissent from Israeli military top brass, Netanyahu has remained firm.

In a post on social media late Friday, Netanyahu said "we are not going to occupy Gaza -- we are going to free Gaza from Hamas".

The premier has faced regular protests over the course of the war, with many rallies calling for the government to strike a deal after past truces saw hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.

Out of 251 hostages captured during Hamas's 2023 attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the military says are dead.

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Israel's offensive has killed at least 61,430 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, figures the United Nations says are reliable.

According to Gaza's civil defence agency, at least 27 people were killed by Israeli fire across the territory Sunday, including 11 who were waiting near aid distribution centres.

Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the war, resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

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Arab World

Syrian Authorities Say Captured ISIS-linked Cell Behind Blasts

Syrian security personnel inspect a burned vehicle near the Four Seasons Hotel after two explosions rocked the area earlier in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
Syrian security personnel inspect a burned vehicle near the Four Seasons Hotel after two explosions rocked the area earlier in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
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Syrian Authorities Say Captured ISIS-linked Cell Behind Blasts

Syrian security personnel inspect a burned vehicle near the Four Seasons Hotel after two explosions rocked the area earlier in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
Syrian security personnel inspect a burned vehicle near the Four Seasons Hotel after two explosions rocked the area earlier in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)

Syrian officials said late Thursday the country had captured an ISIS-linked cell responsible for two bomb blasts during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Damascus earlier this week.

In a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Macron said we must "not let ourselves be destabilized" by such attacks, and the two leaders vowed to boost ties with new ambassadors to be installed in each country.

Syria's Interior Minister Anas Khattab said that "the cell responsible for the terrorist bombings that targeted Damascus two days ago is now in our custody".

"Once the investigations are completed, we will reveal to the public the identities of the cell's members, their roles, and all of their affiliations and connections," he wrote on X.

Ahmad Dalati, head of interior security for the Damascus region, said on Syrian state television that preliminary investigations indicated "the cell was affiliated with the ISIS group".

The interior ministry said in a statement that the cell had been captured following a series of raids "carried out at the same time against the suspects' different locations across Damascus and its countryside".

The statement said the raids occurred in four neighborhoods.

Two blasts hit central Damascus on Tuesday, killing one person and wounding dozens during the French president's first visit to Syria.

The explosives had been planted near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Macron had spent the night, with Syria's interior ministry saying one was placed in a garbage container and the other in a vehicle near the hotel in the heart of the capital.

Arab World

Hamas Shifts Its Center of Gravity to Türkiye, Seeks Rapprochement with Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya in Istanbul. (Hamas)
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya in Istanbul. (Hamas)
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Hamas Shifts Its Center of Gravity to Türkiye, Seeks Rapprochement with Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya in Istanbul. (Hamas)
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya in Istanbul. (Hamas)

Hamas has shifted much of its organizational center of gravity toward Türkiye in recent months, according to meetings, activities and public positions by the group, after years in which it kept its operations there at a distance and reduced its presence.

The shift has coincided with statements of condemnation and solidarity after bombings in Syria, whose new government Hamas is seeking to approach.

The clearest sign of Hamas’s growing reliance on Ankara came in May, when the group chose Türkiye as the venue for internal elections to select the head of its political bureau. The vote ended without a decisive result.

Three Hamas sources abroad told Asharq Al-Awsat that the group had recently resumed holding its meetings in Türkiye, after using the Qatari capital Doha in recent years for meetings and internal elections.

In recent years, Turkish security agencies have announced the dismantling of “espionage networks working for Israel’s Mossad”. Turkish media reports, citing investigations, said some of the networks’ activities involved tracking Hamas members and activity in Türkiye, along with other missions.

Israel had repeatedly demanded that Türkiye deport senior Hamas figures, including prisoners freed in a 2011 exchange deal for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

The most prominent among them was Saleh al-Arouri, deputy head of Hamas’s political bureau, who was in Türkiye from 2011 to 2015. He moved almost permanently to Beirut’s southern suburbs in 2017 and remained there until Israel assassinated him in January 2024.

The three sources said in separate accounts that the recent election for head of the political bureau, which ended without a decision, was held in Istanbul with leaders from the political bureau and the Shura Council present. They said the process would also resume there soon if the voting inside the Palestinian territories is completed after its recent renewal.

A dispute with Qatar?

The sources said the vast majority of Hamas leaders have recently been based in Türkiye and have stayed there for extended periods, including leaders whose families live in Qatar.

They said all meetings now being held, whether on ceasefire discussions, internal affairs or other files, are taking place in Türkiye.

Israel targeted a meeting of Hamas leaders in Doha last September. Hamas said its senior officials survived, but five of its members were killed, along with a member of Qatar’s security forces.

Asked by Asharq Al-Awsat whether the transfer of most meetings to Türkiye reflected security concerns or a dispute with Qatar, one senior source said: “This does not amount to a dispute with Qatar; rather, it came to ease the burden on Qatar in the face of US pressure, driven by Israel, demanding the expulsion of the movement’s leaders.”

A second source said: “The Hamas leadership still maintains a solid and strong relationship with Qatari officials, who continue to welcome the movement’s leadership.”

The third source said Türkiye was now a safer destination after the Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha. “Israel, at least, cannot attack targets in Türkiye from the air, although it can carry out assassinations by other means. But its options are also limited,” the source said.

The source said the security situation in Qatar, amid continuing tension and strikes between Iran and the United States, could create a gap that Israel might exploit to carry out its plan to assassinate the group’s leaders, “as it did last time.”

Although Israel pledged to US President Donald Trump’s administration not to repeat the attack, the source said, “it cannot be trusted and may do it again.”

Moves toward Syria

The activity in Türkiye has notably coincided with two Hamas statements issued about a week apart, condemning two bombings in Damascus. The first took place near the Palace of Justice, while the second coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Syria.

Syria and Türkiye have had strong ties since the overthrow of ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Hamas’s condemnations came as Islamic Jihad, which is closely linked to Iran, remained silent.

In its statement condemning the first blast, Hamas said that “targeting innocent civilians and terrorizing peaceful people is a crime condemned by all standards, and serves only projects of chaos and the destabilization of security and stability.”

It offered condolences to “the families of the victims, and to the Syrian Arab Republic, its leadership, government and people.”

Hamas also declared its “full solidarity with sisterly Syria in confronting this crime” and said it was confident in “the ability of Syria, its leadership and people, to overcome this ordeal and preserve its security and stability.”

The second statement used almost the same language. Hamas said that “targeting Syria’s security and stability represents a blatant assault that serves suspicious agendas aimed at undermining the region’s security and stirring chaos in it.”

The senior Hamas source said “openness to the new Syrian government, or to other Arab, Islamic and international countries, is natural, since the movement is a national liberation movement seeking normal relations with everyone based on mutual respect, in line with the interests of each party, and in a way that guarantees everyone’s safety and non-interference in the affairs of others.”

Asked whether any further step was expected in the rapprochement, the source said: “So far, there is no plan for any official visit by a delegation from the movement, but such an option appears likely after the internal situation of the new government improves and it rearranges its domestic and foreign priorities.”

According to a source from one of the Palestinian factions that had been active in Syria before suspending its activities there, Hamas has what he described as “good relations with the Syrian government”.

The source said Hamas had mediated in cases involving Palestinians from several factions who were detained over their previous activities before being released and moving to other countries. Others, he said, were forced to leave voluntarily for several countries.

The Hamas sources declined to confirm or deny the information.

Arab World

Iraq Moves to Mend Gulf Ties, Al-Zaidi Proposes New Partnership

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. (Reuters)
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. (Reuters)
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Iraq Moves to Mend Gulf Ties, Al-Zaidi Proposes New Partnership

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. (Reuters)
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. (Reuters)

The Iraqi government is intensifying diplomatic engagement with its Arab neighbors, especially Gulf Arab states, ahead of an expected visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to the United States.

It is an effort to strengthen regional and international partnerships, address economic and security issues, and recover funds linked to corruption cases.

As part of that push, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein began a visit to Kuwait at the head of a delegation that included the national security adviser, the governor of Basra and senior Foreign Ministry officials.

Hussein said in a post on X that the visit aimed to “discuss developing relations with Kuwait in a way that serves the interests of the two brotherly peoples.”

Hours after his arrival, Hussein said in a separate statement that Kuwaiti authorities had agreed to release Iraqi fishermen detained by the Kuwaiti coast guard last week. He said they would return to Basra province with the Basra governor after legal procedures were completed.

The Iraqi minister said the decision came in response to a request made by the Iraqi delegation during its meeting with Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud al-Sabah.

A government source said the Iraqi government was “keen to maximize its relations with its Arab surroundings, especially the Gulf, which requires sending positive messages that reinforce this direction,” adding that the foreign minister carried several important files with him during the visit.

The source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the delegation also discussed economic files, including strengthening investment partnerships and the possibility of Kuwait supplying Iraq with gas to operate power plants, as Iraq faces chronic challenges in its energy sector, particularly during the summer months.

‘Iraq will not join any axis’

The diplomatic moves come as al-Zaidi prepares to visit the United States. In press remarks on Thursday, he said Washington’s release of cash dollar shipments to Iraq after a suspension lasting several months represented “a gesture of goodwill” toward Baghdad.

Al-Zaidi said his expected visit would include “an announcement of economic and political partnership with Washington,” adding that the two countries could expand the exchange of security information.

He stressed that Iraq “will not join any axis” amid regional tensions, but said Baghdad continued to seek to bring the United States and Iran closer together to help resolve their disputes and achieve stability in the region.

The prime minister said his foreign tour would not be limited to Washington and would be followed by visits to several Arab countries. He said it was “important for Iraq to be part of the Arab incubator.”

He added that Baghdad sought to establish an economic partnership with Saudi Arabia during an expected visit to Riyadh before heading to Damascus, citing the importance of strengthening economic cooperation with neighboring Syria.

On energy, al-Zaidi denied reports that Iraq intended to withdraw from OPEC, saying his country would remain a member of the organization but was seeking a “fair share” of oil exports.

Impact of Iranian influence

Observers say Iraq’s moves toward Gulf states are part of an effort to rebalance its foreign policy, alongside its opening to the United States, as the regional environment grows more complex.

Issam al-Fayli, a professor of political science at Mustansiriyah University, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the government faced the challenge of balancing Iranian influence inside Iraq with the prospects of relations with the United States.

He said the prime minister was “serious about limiting the influence of Iranian arms in preparation for a new Iraqi project based on economic openness and energy projects in the region.”

Ihsan al-Shammari, head of the Political Thinking Center, said Iraq could repair its relations with Gulf states if it adopted a new vision to redefine those ties, adding that previous governments had not achieved tangible progress on that front.

He said Baghdad needed to restore Gulf Arab trust by reducing the impact of Iranian influence and addressing the issue of armed factions, opening the way for broader economic and trade partnerships.

Ghalib al-Daami, a professor of political science at Mustansiriyah University, said “loose weapons” represented the biggest obstacle to developing relations with Gulf states. He said the current government appeared serious about fighting corruption and addressing the issue of armed factions.

Talib Mohammed Karim, a professor of political science, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Iraq had a real opportunity to strengthen relations with its Arab surroundings, especially Gulf states, amid regional shifts.

But he said the success of that path depended on the state’s ability to entrench stability, strengthen its sovereignty and provide an environment attractive to investment.

Muhannad Salloum, a professor of security studies, said Baghdad’s success in rebuilding trust with Gulf states first required the state to monopolize the use of force and address the issue of militias and armed factions.

Second, he said, Iraq needed to expand economic links with Gulf states through projects such as railway connectivity, the Development Road and security cooperation systems.

Third, it needed to take confidence-building steps, address mutual accusations of attacks that some Gulf states attribute to Iraqi factions, and strengthen mutual understanding between the two sides.