A top member of Israel's leadership said on Saturday that he would step down if Benjamin Netanyahu and his Cabinet could not agree on a strategy for carrying out the fight against Hamas. In a televised press conference, Benny Gantz, a retired commander and longstanding rival of Prime Minister Netanyahu, threatened to throw him out of office if he followed the route of fanatics who would plunge the nation into an abyss, according to the New York Times. "We will turn to the people and build a government that will earn the people's trust." He extended it till June 8.
Gantz's exit would not affect Netanyahu's cabinet, which would retain 64 members in the 120-member Parliament. However, the AP reports that the statement widens the rift among the leadership after more than seven months of fighting, during which Israel has failed to achieve its objectives of deconstructing Hamas and freeing the captives taken during the organization's assault on October 7. The shaky alliance between Netanyahu and Ganntz, established during the assault, has contributed to the country's unity. However, the absence of an agreement to free the hostages is making the public more and more irate with the prime minister. In Israel, thousands of Israelis demonstrated on Saturday night in support of fresh elections and a hostage arrangement.
Reuters reports that polls indicate Gantz is Netanyahu's most well-liked opponent. Furthermore, some in the leadership favor Israel establishing additional colonies and maintaining its permanent rule over Gaza. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant urged Netanyahu to declare his opposition to participating in either military or civil governance of Gaza after the war, accusing him of mismanaging the conflict. Gantz said on Saturday that there are no "magic solutions," but he did not specify who should rule Gaza. According to the AP, he did suggest demilitarizing Gaza and establishing an international body to oversee civilian matters with support from the US, Europe, the Arab world, and the Palestinian people.
Gantz's exit would not affect Netanyahu's cabinet, which would retain 64 members in the 120-member Parliament. However, the AP reports that the statement widens the rift among the leadership after more than seven months of fighting, during which Israel has failed to achieve its objectives of deconstructing Hamas and freeing the captives taken during the organization's assault on October 7. The shaky alliance between Netanyahu and Ganntz, established during the assault, has contributed to the country's unity. However, the absence of an agreement to free the hostages is making the public more and more irate with the prime minister. In Israel, thousands of Israelis demonstrated on Saturday night in support of fresh elections and a hostage arrangement.
Reuters reports that polls indicate Gantz is Netanyahu's most well-liked opponent. Furthermore, some in the leadership favor Israel establishing additional colonies and maintaining its permanent rule over Gaza. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant urged Netanyahu to declare his opposition to participating in either military or civil governance of Gaza after the war, accusing him of mismanaging the conflict. Gantz said on Saturday that there are no "magic solutions," but he did not specify who should rule Gaza. According to the AP, he did suggest demilitarizing Gaza and establishing an international body to oversee civilian matters with support from the US, Europe, the Arab world, and the Palestinian people.
