The Israeli government has been plunged into chaos as politicians in Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet threaten to resign.
Pressure has continued to mount on the Israeli leader to find a postwar plan for Gaza, even as the war shows no signs of ending.
In the months since the devastating October 7 terrorist attack, Israeli politics has remained remarkably unified, but that united front appears on the verge of shattering.
On Saturday afternoon, Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Netanyahu’s war cabinet and his main rival for the top job, threatened to leave the government on June 8 if he did not formulate a new war plan.
This includes an international, Arab and Palestinian administration to govern Gaza.
The Israeli government has been plunged into chaos as politicians in Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet threaten to resign.
On Saturday afternoon, Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Netanyahu’s war cabinet and his main rival for the top job, threatened to leave the government on June 8 if he did not formulate a new war plan.
Smoke rises after an Israeli attack in northern Gaza. Pressure has continued to mount on Netanyahu to find a postwar plan for Gaza, even as the war shows no signs of ending.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (pictured center), who also called for a plan for Palestinian administration and said in a speech this week that he would not accept Israel ruling Gaza itself.
The leader of the National Unity party said: “If they choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation into the abyss, we will be forced to abandon the government.”
Gantz was joined by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who also called for a plan for Palestinian administration and said in a speech this week that he would not accept Israel ruling Gaza itself.
Netanyahu has ruled out any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza; Instead, he claims that he wants to hand over power to local Palestinians.
The Prime Minister has also ruled out any such plans until Hamas is defeated because he has threatened anyone who cooperates with Israel. He also remains deeply opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state.
In a statement issued after the ultimatum, Netanyahu said Gantz’s conditions would amount to “the defeat of Israel, the abandonment of the majority of the hostages, the abandonment of Hamas intact and the establishment of a Palestinian state.”
Netanyahu added, however, that he still thought the emergency government was important to prosecute the war and that he “hopes Gantz will clarify his positions to the public.”
It is no surprise that Netanyahu expects Gantz to remain in the coalition, as his departure would leave Netanyahu even more beholden to his far-right coalition allies.
This includes National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who could more easily topple the government if it does not meet his demands.
Netanyahu has ruled out any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza; Instead, he claims that he wants to hand over power to local Palestinians.
Gantz hugs a woman as he walks to meet the hostages’ families. Gantz said: “If they choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation into the abyss, we will be forced to resign from the government.”
If Gantz leaves the government, Netanyahu would be beholden to his far-right coalition allies. This includes National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (pictured), who could more easily bring down the government if he does not meet his demands.
Protesters in Tel Aviv on Saturday night. Netanyahu’s critics, including thousands of people who have joined weekly protests in recent months, accuse him of prolonging the war for his own political survival.
Ben-Gvir and others have called on Israel to reoccupy Gaza, encourage “voluntary emigration” of Palestinians from the territory and restore Jewish settlements that were eliminated in 2005.
Netanyahu’s critics, including thousands of people who have joined weekly protests in recent months, accuse him of prolonging the war for his own political survival.
Gantz, who led his centrist party into government days after the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the war, warned Netanyahu not to “choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation into the abyss.”
The United States has joined Gantz in pushing for the end-of-war plan, which includes Gaza being governed by Palestinian and Arab states such as Saudi Arabia.
The times reports that Americans are also calling for full recognition of Israel by Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries.
Israeli media have reported growing discontent within the country’s security system over the course of the war, with officials warning that the lack of such planning was turning tactical victories into strategic defeats.
With no one else to govern Gaza, Hamas has repeatedly regrouped, including in the hardest-hit areas that Israel had previously said it had cleared.
In a statement issued after the ultimatum, Netanyahu said Gantz’s conditions would amount to “the defeat of Israel, the abandonment of the majority of the hostages, the abandonment of Hamas intact and the establishment of a Palestinian state.”
Meanwhile, Israeli troops are advancing toward parts of the southern city of Rafah in what they say is a limited operation.
The fighting has displaced some 800,000 people, many of whom had already fled other areas, and has severely hampered the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Meanwhile, indirect talks brokered by the United States, Qatar and Egypt aimed at a ceasefire and the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas appear stalled, with many of the hostages’ families and their supporters blaming the Israeli government.
Tragically, in recent days the bodies of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 have been found in Gaza. On May 17, the body of Shani Louk was discovered, who was at the Nova music festival, along with two other hostages.
Yesterday it was reported that the body of Ron Benjamin had also been found.
