An Israeli War Cabinet member threatens to resign if there is no postwar plann North Gaza
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Benny Gantz, on Saturday, May 18, 2024, threatened to resign from the Israeli government if the government did not adopt a new plan within three weeks for the war in Gaza. Ganzt is a popular centrist politician who is also one of three members of Israel's War Cabinet.
Gantz's decision has the potential to make Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more dependent on his right-wing allies.
Gantz's announcement deepens divisions within Israel's leadership more than seven months into the war. So far, Israel has not achieved its goal of disbanding Hamas and returning a number of hostages kidnapped in the militant group's attack on October 7.
Gantz outlined a six-point plan that includes returning hostages, ending Hamas rule, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, and establishing an international administration for civil affairs with the cooperation of the United States (US), Europe, Arabs, and Palestinians. The plan also supports efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and expand military service to all Israeli citizens.
“If you choose the path of fanatics and bring the entire nation to the brink of destruction, we will be forced to resign from government,” he said.
Netanyahu, in a statement reported by Israeli media, responded by saying Gantz chose to issue the ultimatum to the prime minister rather than to Hamas and called his terms "euphemism" for Israel's defeat.
Gantz, Netanyahu's long-time political rival, joined his coalition and War Cabinet in the early days of the war as a sign of national unity.
Gantz's resignation from the War Cabinet would leave Netanyahu even more beholden to his right-wing allies, who have taken a tough stance in negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release. Right-wing politicians also believe that Israel should occupy Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements there.
Gantz spoke days after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the third member of the War Cabinet, said he would not remain in office if Israel chose to reoccupy Gaza. Gallant also asked the government to make plans for Palestinian rule in the enclave.
In remarks that some will see as a slap at Netanyahu, Gantz said "personal and political considerations have begun to encroach into the most sacred place of Israeli security." Netanyahu's critics accuse the prime minister of trying to prolong the war to avoid new elections, a charge he denies.
Opinion polls show Netanyahu will be replaced in the general election, and Gantz is the most likely candidate to become the next prime minister. That would mean Netanyahu could be prosecuted on long-standing corruption charges.
“The Israeli people are watching you,” Gantz said in his speech before Netanyahu.
Many Israelis feel sad about the fate of the hostages and accuse Netanyahu of putting political interests above all else. They want a deal to stop the fighting and free the hostages.
There was a new sense of frustration that emerged on Friday, May 17, 2024, when the Israeli military said its troops in Gaza found the bodies of three hostages killed by Hamas in an attack last October 7. The discovery of the body of the fourth hostage was announced on Saturday, May 17, 2024.
Hamas attacks on October 7 in southern Israel killed 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. Israel says about 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, along with the bodies of about 30 others. Israeli attacks have killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, local health officials said.
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