Israel-Hamas war: Benny Gantz quits war Cabinet citing frustrations with Netanyahu
JERUSALEM (AP) — Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel’s three-man war Cabinet, introduced his resignation Sunday, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of mismanaging the war effort and placing his personal “political survival” over the nation’s safety wants.
The transfer doesn’t instantly pose a risk to Netanyahu, who nonetheless controls a majority coalition in parliament. But the Israeli chief turns into extra closely reliant on far-right allies who oppose the most recent U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal and wish to press forward with the war.
“Unfortunately, Netanyahu is preventing us from achieving true victory, which is the justification for the painful and ongoing price,” Gantz mentioned. He added that Netanyahu was “making empty promises,” and the nation must take a distinct course as he expects the combating to proceed for years to come back.
The standard former navy chief joined Netanyahu’s authorities shortly after the Hamas assault in a present of unity. His presence additionally boosted Israel’s credibility with its worldwide companions. Gantz has good working relations with U.S. officers.
Gantz had beforehand mentioned he would go away the federal government by June 8 if Netanyahu didn’t formulate a new plan for postwar Gaza.
He scrapped a deliberate information convention Saturday night time after 4 Israelihostages had been dramatically rescued from Gaza earlier within the day in Israel’s largest such operation for the reason that eight-month war started. At least 274 Palestinians, together with youngsters, had been killed within the assault, Gaza well being officers mentioned.
Gantz referred to as for Israel to carry elections within the fall, and inspired the third member of the war Cabinet, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, to “do the right thing” and resign from the federal government as effectively. Gallant has beforehand mentioned he would resign if Israel selected to reoccupy Gaza, and inspired the federal government to make plans for a Palestinian administration.
On Saturday, Netanyahu had urged Gantz to not go away the emergency wartime authorities.
“This is the time for unity, not for division,” he mentioned, in a direct plea to Gantz.
Gantz’s determination to go away is basically “a symbolic move” as a consequence of his frustration with Netanyahu, mentioned Gideon Rahat, chairman of the political science division on the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He famous it may additional enhance Netanyahu’s reliance on extremist, right-wing members of his authorities, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
“I think the outside world, especially the United States, is not very happy about it, because they see Gantz and his party as the more responsible people within this government,” Rahat mentioned.
On Sunday night, Ben-Gvir demanded a spot within the war Cabinet, saying Gantz and the smaller Cabinet had bungled the war effort as a consequence of “dangerous” ideological selections.
Hamas took some 250 hostages throughout the Oct. 7 assault that killed about 1,200 folks. About half had been launched in a weeklong cease-fire in November. About 120 hostages stay, with 43 pronounced useless. At least 36,700 Palestinians have been killed within the combating, in accordance with Gaza’s HealthMinistry, which doesn’t distinguish between fighters and civilians.
