Benny Gantz, a prominent centrist and former military chief, has resigned from Israel’s three-man war cabinet, dealing a blow to the unity government. His departure comes amid disagreements with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the handling of the recent conflict in Gaza. While Gantz’s move doesn’t immediately threaten Netanyahu’s government, it forces the Prime Minister to rely more heavily on far-right allies who oppose the latest US-backed ceasefire proposal and advocate for continued military action.
Gantz cited Netanyahu’s mismanagement of the war as the reason for his resignation. He expressed frustration that true victory remained elusive and criticized the Prime Minister’s empty promises. Gantz had previously set a deadline for Netanyahu to formulate a new plan for post-war Gaza, which was not met. The former military chief’s departure leaves Netanyahu’s coalition government in a precarious position.
During the conflict, at least 274 Palestinians, including children, lost their lives in the assault. Gantz called for Israel to hold elections in the fall, urging Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to follow suit and resign from the government. Netanyahu, however, implored Gantz to remain in the emergency wartime government, emphasizing unity.
With Gantz’s exit, Netanyahu will likely lean more on far-right coalition members, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. These ministers advocate for a tougher stance on Gaza, potentially straining relations with international partners, particularly the US.
As the situation unfolds, Netanyahu faces increasing pressure to address post-war plans for Gaza. Gantz’s resignation highlights the challenges of maintaining unity in a government grappling with complex geopolitical issues
