Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel’s government, threatened to resign from the government if a new plan for the war in Gaza is not adopted within three weeks. The plan includes goals such as the return of hostages, ending Hamas rule, and demilitarizing the Gaza strip. Gantz’s departure would leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relying more on far-right allies who have taken a hard line on negotiations over a cease-fire and hostage release. The Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has also been urging the Cabinet to decide on a postwar vision for Gaza, calling for the creation of a new Palestinian civilian leadership.
Netanyahu is under pressure from hard-liners in his government who want the military offensive in Gaza to continue in order to crush Hamas. However, the U.S. and other allies have warned against further escalation in Gaza, especially in the city of Rafah, where a large population has been affected by the conflict. The national security advisor of the U.S., Jake Sullivan, will be visiting Saudi Arabia and Israel to discuss the war and will meet with Netanyahu. Many Israelis are frustrated with the handling of the conflict, particularly the failure to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 attack that initiated the war.
The war has resulted in the deaths of over 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials, with hundreds more killed in the West Bank. Efforts to reach a cease-fire mediated by Qatar, the U.S., and Egypt have not made significant progress, and there is uncertainty about a postwar vision for the region. Gantz, a former military chief of staff and defense minister, joined the coalition and the War Cabinet early in the war but has now expressed his dissatisfaction with the government’s approach. His announcement of a possible resignation adds to the growing divide within Israel’s leadership as the war continues without clear resolutions or accomplishments of its stated goals.
The current situation in Israel’s government highlights the tensions and divisions within the country’s leadership regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Gantz’s threat to resign over the government’s handling of the war underscores the challenges faced by the coalition in reaching a consensus on a postwar vision for the region. Netanyahu’s reliance on far-right allies with differing views on the conflict adds further complexity to the decision-making process. The continued pressure from both hard-liners in the government and international allies to find a resolution to the conflict adds to the urgency of finding a path forward that can bring an end to the hostilities and secure the release of hostages. Despite the challenges and uncertainties ahead, efforts to negotiate a cease-fire and establish a new civilian leadership in Gaza remain key priorities for Israel and its allies.
