Israeli party pushes for overthrow of government over handling of Gaza hostages

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli left-wing Labor Party said on Wednesday that it will present a proposal to the Knesset to withdraw confidence from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government due to its failure to release hostages held in Gaza.

"It has been 103 days since the kidnapping of our children by Hamas and the government is torn and does not care at all," the party said in a statement on X.

"There is no confidence in a government that does not prioritize the return of its hostages," it added, calling for "overthrowing" it.

Led by former Minister of Transportation Merav Michaeli, the Labor Party has four seats in the 120-member Knesset.

Withdrawing confidence requires at least 61 lawmakers to vote in favor of the proposal. The government led by Netanyahu has a majority of 64 seats, making it difficult for the proposal to pass.

Hamas is believed to be holding nearly half of the 240 hostages it took after its cross-border offensive on Oct. 7. Some 105 hostages were released following a Qatar-brokered agreement between Israel and Hamas in November. ​​​​​​​

*Writing by Mohammad Sio