Netanyahu levers Shin Bet to distance himself from Ben-Gvir
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According to Intelligence Online, Netanyahu attended a meeting at the Shin Bet, operation center of Israeli's domestic intelligence service, from May 4-5.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on as he convenes a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, May 7, 2023. (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to bypass his own minister of security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the IOF's new military operation in Gaza, Intelligence Online reported on Monday.
According to the outlet, Netanyahu attended a meeting at the Shin Bet, the operation center of the Israeli occupation's domestic intelligence service, from May 4-5.
Netanyahu deemed it the best place to prepare the offensive dubbed Operation Shield and Arrow, which was launched four days later against PIJ leaders in Gaza.
This means that he bypassed his own security staff, including his security minister, with whom he is supposed to plan decisions of the sort.
Netanyahu reportedly obtained approval from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to grant legality to the new military operation.
He is reportedly working with Shin Bet director Ronen Bar who is responsible for identifying the targets for the operation.
Read more: What path was followed to reach ceasefire agreement in Gaza?
He is therefore working to provide a list of names of senior PIJ officials. However, the list did not include any members from Hamas.
The Shin Bet reportedly formed a team to monitor the unfolding crisis, with one team member reportedly belonging to the ultra-orthodox community.
Netanyahu has also involved Security Minister Yoav Gallant in this decision-making, as well as the chief of general staff of the Israeli occupation forces and former Aman director Herzi Halevi, as well as his national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi.
Whereas Ben-Gvir is supposed to be involved in these security decisions, there are concerns that his comments may further trigger escalations.
He was, however, informed of the military operation several hours after a security cabinet meeting was held on May 9.
Read more: Palestinians celebrate victory of Operation Avenge the Free
The Israeli occupation launched a five-day aggression against the Gaza Strip, targeting residential houses in the north, center, and south of the Strip.
In retaliation, Al-Quds Brigades and the Palestinian Resistance factions launched Operation Avenging the Free, in which it fired advanced rockets and missiles that bypassed the Iron Dome and targeted several Israeli settlements, occupied cities, and occupation sites.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the number of Palestinians killed in the aggression rose to 33 martyrs, including six children and three women, and 147 people were wounded.
