In a tragic incident, an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip claimed the lives of 20 individuals, mainly women and children. The airstrike occurred amidst ongoing fighting across the northern region, intensifying discussions on who should govern Gaza once the eight-month-long war concludes.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing criticism from his own War Cabinet, with his political rival Benny Gantz threatening to withdraw from the government if a comprehensive plan for postwar Gaza is not formulated by June 8. Gantz supports the idea of an international administration overseeing the governance of Gaza after the conflict.

On Sunday, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan arrived in Israel for discussions with Israeli leaders concerning an ambitious U.S. plan. The plan includes Saudi Arabia recognizing Israel and providing assistance to the Palestinian Authority in governing Gaza, in exchange for a pathway toward eventual statehood. Netanyahu, however, opposes Palestinian statehood and has rejected these proposals, emphasizing Israel's intention to maintain long-term security control over Gaza and collaborate with non-Hamas-affiliated Palestinians.

If Gantz follows through with his threat to leave the government, it is unlikely to bring down Netanyahu's coalition government. However, it would leave him more reliant on far-right allies who advocate for the voluntary emigration of Palestinians from Gaza, full military occupation, and the reconstruction of Jewish settlements in the area.

Amidst discussions regarding postwar planning, the conflict continues unabated, with no end in sight. Hamas has managed to regroup in parts of northern Gaza, which had been heavily bombarded earlier in the war. Recent airstrikes and heavy fighting have been reported in this isolated area, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. The World Food Program has warned of a famine in northern Gaza.

The recent airstrike in Nuseirat, a Palestinian refugee camp in central Gaza, resulted in the deaths of 20 people, including eight women and four children. Another strike on a street in Nuseirat claimed the lives of five more individuals. The fighting has not spared other locations, as a senior officer from the Hamas-run police and another man were killed in Deir al-Balah.

Reports indicate that at least 150 bodies have been recovered by rescuers in Jabaliya, where heavy artillery and airstrikes have been relentless. Numerous homes have been completely destroyed, worsening the plight of the already displaced population.

Since the start of the conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on southern Israel, around 35,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The majority of them have been civilians. Approximately 80% of the population of 2.3 million Palestinians has been displaced within the territory multiple times.

Israel argues that it tries to minimize harm to civilians and blames Hamas for the high death toll and destruction, citing their use of residential areas for military purposes. Netanyahu's critics, however, accuse him of prolonging the war and rejecting cease-fire deals, alleging that he aims to avoid accountability for the security failures that led to the initial attack.

Polls suggest that should early elections be held, Gantz, a political centrist, would likely succeed Netanyahu. This would expose Netanyahu to potential prosecution on long-standing corruption allegations. Netanyahu remains steadfast in his determination to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.

The Israeli prime minister is also facing pressure from the United States, Israel's closest ally, which has expressed growing frustration with the conduct of the war. Despite initially withholding a shipment of bombs, citing concerns for a humanitarian catastrophe, the Biden administration has recently announced that it will proceed with the sale of $1 billion worth of arms to Israel.

Sullivan's visit to Israel follows his meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The United States has been formulating an ambitious plan in which Saudi Arabia, along with other Arab states, would assist in administering and rebuilding Gaza in exchange for a U.S. defense pact and cooperation in developing a civilian nuclear program. However, this proposal hinges on Israel accepting a credible path to eventual Palestinian statehood, which Netanyahu has consistently rejected.

As the conflict escalates and divisions over postwar governance deepen, the international community eagerly awaits a resolution that will bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza.