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Benjamin Netanyahu skips hospital for a vote, Hamas digs in over truce

Benjamin Netanyahu attended a session in parliament after discharging himself from hospital against doctors’ orders; as hopes for ceasefire plummet.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discharged himself from hospital to take part in a key vote. Picture: AFP.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discharged himself from hospital to take part in a key vote. Picture: AFP.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attended a session in parliament after discharging himself from hospital against doctors’ orders to take part in a vote.

Mr Netanyahu underwent a prostate removal surgery over the weekend and is expected to remain in hospital for several days, after he returned after voting on a key budget-related law.

After the vote, Mr Netanyahu attacked his ally, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for leading a failed revolt against the vote.

“Today is an important day and a great victory for the coalition,” Mr Netanyahu said in a statement, saying the legislation was critical for Israel’s economy and security.

“Over the past two years, we have been running the country together and achieving tremendous accomplishments in various arenas, including against Iran. We have great opportunities ahead of us in co-operation with our American friends,” he said, apparently referring to incoming US president Donald Trump.

Turning his sights on Ben Gvir, Mr Netanyahu added: “There is no greater irresponsible folly than to shake up the coalition at this time or risk toppling a right-wing government.”

Meanwhile ceasefire talks with Hamas appear to have slipped further into deadlock, with Hamas reportedly refusing to release 12 of the 34 hostages expected to be releasedin the first phase of a potential deal.

A Palestinian source told Israeli state news agency KAN the militant group would instead hand over the bodies of 12 dead hostages.

Kan reported that Mr Netanyahu refused the release of bodies in the first stage of the deal.

At the weekend, The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel was still waiting for a list of living hostages it was planning to release in return for 250 Palestinians held by Israel.

A United Nations report published on Tuesday found that Israeli strikes on and near hospitals in the Gaza Strip had left healthcare in the Palestinian territory on the verge of collapse.

The report by the UN human rights office said such strikes raised grave concerns about Israel’s compliance with international law.

“Israel’s pattern of deadly attacks on and near hospitals in Gaza, and associated combat, pushed the healthcare system to the brink of total collapse, with catastrophic effect on Palestinians’ access to health and medical care,” the UN human rights office said in a statement.

AFP

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/benjamin-netanyahu-skips-hospital-for-a-vote-hamas-digs-in-over-truce/news-story/a4898322aecf1d8a66ffd789b555556b