Mass protests erupt across Israel after Defence Minister Yoav Gallant’s dismissal
Tel Aviv: A wave of mass protests swept Israel on Tuesday evening following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dismissal of Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The announcement was met with thousands of protesters taking to the streets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, expressing anger over Gallant’s removal amid the ongoing attacks by Israel on Palestine.
Netanyahu stated that the trust between him and Gallant had eroded, asserting, “In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and defence minister.” Gallant, however, has been advocating for a temporary diplomatic deal, suggesting that military efforts have laid the groundwork for negotiations to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, a stance differing from Netanyahu’s call for sustained military pressure.
Gallant outlined his differences with Netanyahu, highlighting the need to end military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men, the urgency of a hostage deal, and the establishment of an inquiry commission to investigate the political and security lapses surrounding the October 7 attack by Hamas.
Protests intensified following the announcement, with demonstrators blocking Tel Aviv’s main highway, waving Israeli flags, and lighting bonfires. Similar scenes unfolded outside Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, where police presence escalated, and reports of scuffles emerged as protesters clashed with authorities.
Political leaders across the spectrum expressed shock at the decision, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog remarking that Gallant’s dismissal was “the last thing Israel needs” in this period of conflict.
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Vande Bharat train window damaged in stone-pelting incident near Kerala’s Palakkad
Palakkad (Kerala) (PTI): A Vande Bharat train operating from Ernakulam to Bengaluru sustained minor damage in a stone-pelting incident a day earlier, police said on Saturday.
The incident occurred near Parali in Palakkad district at around 4.30 pm on Friday, an officer of the Government Railway Police (GRP), Palakkad, said.
“No one was injured in the incident. One of the train’s windows suffered minor damage,” the officer said.
He added that the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has registered a case and launched an investigation.
“GRP and RPF teams are present at Parali as part of the investigation. The stones may have been thrown by a person of unsound mind or someone who was intoxicated,” the officer said.
