Live Updates: Israeli opposition parties agree to oust Netanyahu amid Gaza war

Thursday, August 29, 2024

2000 GMT — Chairman of the Democrats Yair Golan has called on leaders of opposition parties to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the removal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Golan said in a recorded message posted on his X account, "Today, I reached out to all my friends in the opposition with a clear call: let's embark on a shared path."

He added, "Israel is in an extraordinary state of emergency and is collapsing politically, security-wise, economically, socially, and constitutionally.

"Everything is falling apart around us. We must work in a coordinated, systematic, and consistent manner."

Golan shared the text of the message he sent to opposition party leaders, stating: "We are in the midst of a war, with hostages in captivity for 328 days, tens of thousands of displaced people, the economy collapsing, and reserve officers and soldiers fighting for a long time without seeing any light at the end of the tunnel.

"The complete lack of public trust in the government and decisions made solely based on political considerations compel us all to rise to the occasion."

In response to Golan's statements and message, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid also used X to write, "We will continue to work with all parts of the opposition, before and behind the scenes, until the disaster government that is destroying the country is overthrown."

2143 GMT — Houthis agree to temporary truce to secure stranded oil tanker

Yemen's Houthis have agreed to a temporary truce to allow for an oil tanker targeted by them — now at risk of causing an oil spill — to be secured, Iran's mission to the UN said.

The Greek-owned Sounion was hit by the Houthis off the coast of Hudaida last week, sparking fires and the evacuation of its crew.

Houthis say they will continue to strike Israel-owned or Israel-bound ships around Yemeni waters in solidarity with Palestinians of besieged Gaza.

"Several countries have reached out to ask Ansarullah, requesting a temporary truce for the entry of tugboats and rescue ships into the incident area," citing the fires and "subsequent environmental hazards," Iran's mission said, using an alternate name for the Houthis.

"Ansarullah has consented to this request," it said, adding any "failure to provide aid and prevent an oil spill in the Red Sea stems from the negligence of certain countries" rather than the risk of being targeted by the Houthis.

For our live updates from Wednesday, August 28, 2024, click here.