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Benjamin Netanyahu's government is thrown into chaos after key member of his war cabinet threatens to quit - as pressure mounts over Israel's military bombardment of Gaza
The Israeli government has been thrown 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 sign of ending.
In the months following the devastating October 7 terrorist attack, Israeli politics has remained remarkably unified but that united front looks as though it is about to be shattered.
On Saturday evening 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 it did not formulate a new war plan.
This includes an international, Arab and Palestinian administration to govern Gaza.
The Israeli government has been thrown into chaos as politicians in Benjamin Netanyahu 's war cabinet threaten to resign
On Saturday evening 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 it did not formulate a new war plan
Smoke rises following an Israeli strike in northern Gaza. Pressure has continued to mount on Netanyahu to find a postwar plan for Gaza even as the war shows no sign of ending
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant (pictured centre) who has also called for a plan for Palestinian administration, and said in a speech this week that he wouldn't agree to Israel governing Gaza itself
The leader of the National Unity party said: 'If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss, we will be forced to quit the government.'
Gantz has been joined by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant who has also called for a plan for Palestinian administration, and said in a speech this week that he wouldn't agree to Israel governing Gaza itself.
Netanyahu has ruled out any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, instead he claims he wants to hand power to local Palestinian.
The PM has also ruled out any such plans until Hamas is defeated because it has threatened anyone who cooperates with Israel. He also remains deeply opposed to Palestinian statehood.
In a statement issued after the ultimatum, Netanyahu said Gantz' conditions would amount to 'defeat for Israel, abandoning most of the hostages, leaving Hamas intact and establishing a Palestinian state.'
Netanyahu added, however, that he still thought the emergency government was important for prosecuting the war, and that he 'expects Gantz to clarify his positions to the public.'
It is unsurprising Netanyahu would hope Gantz might remain in coalition as his departure would leave Netanyahu even more beholden to his far-right coalition allies.
This includes the National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir who could more easily bring down the government if he doesn't meet their demands.
Netanyahu has ruled out any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, instead he claims he wants to hand power to local Palestinian
Gantz embraces a woman as he walks to meet with hostages family members. Gantz said: 'If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss, we will be forced to quit the government'
If Gantz pullos out of the government Netanyahu would beholden to his far-right coalition allies. This includes the National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (pictured) who could more easily bring down the government if he doesn't meet their demands
Protestors in Tel Aviv on Saturday night. Critics of Netanyahu, including thousands 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 for Israel to reoccupy Gaza, encourage the 'voluntary emigration' of Palestinians from the territory and reestablish Jewish settlements that were removed in 2005.
Critics of Netanyahu, including thousands who have joined weekly protests in recent months, accuse him of prolonging the war for his own political survival.
Gantz, who brought his centrist party into the government days after the Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war, warned Netanyahu not to 'choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss.'
The USA has joined Gantz in pushing for end of war plan, which includes Gaza being governed by Palestinian and Arab states such as Saudi Arabia.
The Times reports that the Americans are also calling for the full recognition of Israel by Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries.
Israeli media have reported growing discontent within the country's security establishment over the course of the war, with officials warning that the lack of any such planning was turning tactical victories into strategic defeat.
With no one else to govern Gaza, Hamas has repeatedly regrouped, even in the hardest-hit areas that Israel previously said it had cleared.
In a statement issued after the ultimatum, Netanyahu said Gantz' conditions would amount to 'defeat for Israel, abandoning most of the hostages, leaving Hamas intact and establishing a Palestinian state'
Israeli troops are meanwhile pushing into parts of the southern city of Rafah in what they say is a limited operation.
The fighting there has displaced some 800,000 people, many who had already fled from other areas, and severely hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Indirect talks mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt aimed at a cease-fire and the release of scores of hostages held by Hamas meanwhile appear at a standstill, 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, who was at the Nova music festival was discovered alongside two other hostages.
Yesterday, it was reported that Ron Benjamin's body had also been found.