Israel war cabinet minister vows to quit if there is no post-war plan for Gaza
Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz has issued an ultimatum to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, threatening to resign unless a post-war plan for the Gaza Strip is outlined. Gantz has set an 8 June deadline for Netanyahu to present a strategy addressing six “strategic goals,” which include ending Hamas rule in Gaza and establishing a multinational civilian administration for the territory.
“If you put the national over personal, you will find in us partners in the struggle,” Gantz said. “But if you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss, we will be forced to quit the government.”
Netanyahu dismissed Gantz’s comments as “washed-up words” that would mean “defeat for Israel.”
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This internal conflict emerges as fighting intensifies in both the southern city of Rafah and the northern town of Jabalia, one of Gaza’s historic refugee camps. The Israeli military previously claimed to have cleared Jabalia of Hamas fighters.
Gantz’s ultimatum follows Defence Minister Yoav Gallant’s call for Netanyahu to publicly declare that Israel does not plan to take over civilian and military control of Gaza. Gallant has reportedly raised this issue multiple times without receiving a response.
Gantz and Gallant argue that maintaining military control in Gaza would increase Israel’s security risks. Conversely, some far-right members of Netanyahu’s ruling coalition believe continued control is essential to defeat Hamas.
In a televised address on Saturday, Gantz told Netanyahu, “the people of Israel are watching you.”
“You must choose between Zionism and cynicism, between unity and factions, between responsibility and lawlessness, between victory and disaster,” he added.
Among the six strategic goals Gantz outlined are the return of all Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and the return of displaced Palestinian civilians to northern Gaza by 1 September. He also emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to normalise relations with Saudi Arabia as part of a broader initiative to form an alliance with the West against Iran and its allies.