Benjamin Netanyahu Loses Majority As Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Party 'Shas' Quits Govt

Jerusalem: In a major setback to Benjamin Netanyahu, a key governing partner in Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government has said that it is quitting, leaving the Israeli prime minister with a minority in the parliament.

However, Shas said it wouldn't work to undermine the coalition once it left and could vote in support on some laws. The party also assured that it wouldn’t support its collapse.

The Shas party said on Wednesday that it was quitting the government over disagreements surrounding a proposed law meant to grant wide military draft exemptions to its constituents, according to several media reports. Earlier in the week, another ultra-Orthodox party left over the same issue.

Israel Strikes Syria

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military reportedly hit near the entrance to the Syrian Ministry of Defence in Damascus before bombing the same site several hours later with a larger strike.

Reportedly, the IDF has warned of escalating its involvement after already bombing convoys of Syrian government forces and beefing up its presence on the borders.

Visuals from the spot show huge clouds of grey-colored smoke emitting from buildings and massive damage due to the bombings.

It's the third consecutive day that IDF has targeted Syria as tensions escalated between government security forces and local fighters in the southern city of Sweida.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, posted a video message on on X: "My brothers, the Druze citizens of Israel: the situation in Sweida, the situation in south-western Syria, is very serious. The IDF is operating, the Air Force is operating, other forces are operating. We are acting to save our Druze brothers and to eliminate the gangs of the regime."

Appealing to Israeli citizens he said, "I have a single request of you: you are Israeli citizens. Do not cross the border. You are risking your lives; you could be murdered, you could be taken hostage, and you are impeding the efforts of the IDF. Therefore I ask of you: return to your homes and let the IDF take action."