Ben-Gvir's AI campaign ad and Israel's kite ban in Gaza
Israel's far-right national security minister is escalating ahead of October elections, and conditions in Gaza keep deteriorating despite a signed ceasefire.
- Itamar Ben-Gvir posted an AI-made campaign ad showing Palestinians turned into starved concentration-camp victims, then deleted it after global outrage.
- He also led another march into the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, his 15th, breaking the long-standing rule that non-Muslims may visit but not pray there.
- The site is the emotional core of the conflict, with hardliners on multiple sides tying it to end-times prophecy and a rebuilt temple.
- Israeli forces banned kite flying in Gaza after kites drifted into a nearby kibbutz, forcing a boy to destroy the ones he made; the army says they could carry firebombs.
- Israeli troops raided Gaza City during the ceasefire, and heavy bombing to cover their exit hit a bus carrying kindergarteners.
Outlook: With the election set for October 27, Ben-Gvir has every incentive to keep provoking, and the ceasefire looks unlikely to hold.