Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel's three-member War Cabinet, issued an ultimatum on Saturday, threatening to resign from the government if it doesn't adopt a new plan within three weeks for the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
This move would leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more reliant on far-right allies. The announcement deepens the divide in Israel's leadership more than seven months into the war, in which Israel has yet to accomplish its stated goals of dismantling Hamas and securing the return of scores of hostages abducted in the militant group's October 7 attack.
Gantz's six-point Plan
Gantz spelled out a six-point plan that includes the return of hostages, ending Hamas' rule, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, and establishing an international administration of civilian affairs with American, European, Arab, and Palestinian cooperation. The plan also supports efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and widen military service to all Israelis. He gave a June 8 deadline, warning, "If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss – we will be forced to quit the government."
Netanyahu's response
Netanyahu, in a statement reported by Israeli media, responded by saying Gantz had chosen to issue an ultimatum to the prime minister instead of to Hamas and called his conditions "euphemisms" for Israel's defeat.
Gantz, a longtime political rival of Netanyahu, joined his coalition and the War Cabinet in the early days of the war in a gesture of national unity. His departure would leave Netanyahu even more beholden to far-right allies who take a hard line on negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release, and who believe Israel should maintain control over Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements there.
The announcement comes a day after the bodies of three hostages were announced as recovered in a daring operation in Gaza. On Saturday, another name was announced: The body of Ron Benjamin was recovered in Gaza in the operation, adding to the anguish felt by many Israelis over the hostages.
Netanyahu is under growing pressure on multiple fronts, with hard-liners wanting the military offensive on Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah to press ahead, while the US and others have warned against such an offensive and threatened to scale back support over Gaza's humanitarian and hunger crisis.
Many Israelis, accusing Netanyahu of putting political interests ahead of all else, want a deal to stop the fighting and secure the release of hostages. Thousands of Israelis again rallied on Saturday evening to demand a deal along with new elections. The latest talks in pursuit of a ceasefire in Gaza, mediated by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, have brought little progress. A vision beyond the war is also uncertain, with Gantz and Netanyahu differing on the future of Gaza's governance.
