Here are the latest updates from Israel, Gaza, the Middle East and the Jewish World:
■ Israeli protesters, bereaved families and families of Gaza hostages demanded a state commission of inquiry, ahead of a Knesset preliminary vote on a bill to establish a government-backed commission of inquiry.
■ Following a discussion rife with arguments and protests, the Knesset approved in a preliminary vote a bill backed by the government to establish a commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks that would be controlled by politicians.
■ An IDF soldier was lightly wounded by an explosion caused by an IED, after which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Israel would respond. A Hamas official said the explosion was caused by an explosive left behind by Israel.
■ Hamas officials told Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan that they had fulfilled the requirements of the Gaza cease-fire deal, but that Israel’s continued targeting of Gaza is preventing the implementation of the agreement’s second phase, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source said.
■ Defense Minister Israel Katz approved on Wednesday the appointments of a new navy commander and air force commander, after the Defense Ministry’s comptroller found no reason to block them over their actions on October 7.
■ Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli called for a full investigation into the alleged Qatargate affair in an interview with Kan Reshet Bet public radio, describing the revelations as “shocking.”
■ The IDF said it struck several sites in several areas in southern Lebanon linked to Hezbollah, targeting military infrastructure and rocket launch sites used by the group.
■ Netanyahu said Israel would spend 350 billion shekels ($110 billion) on developing an independent arms industry to reduce dependency on other countries.
■ Australia’s New South Wales on Wednesday passed sweeping new gun and anti-terror rules following the mass shooting on Bondi Beach, tightening firearm ownership, banning public display of terror symbols and strengthening police power to curb protests.
■ A man was arrested in Perth, Australia, following an investigation into alleged antisemitic comments made on social media, Western Australia Police said on Wednesday.
■ Belgium has officially joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).