Israel’s centrist War Cabinet Minister, Benny Gantz, has announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and called for new elections.
In a televised press conference, Gantz had accused Netanyahu of prioritising his political survival over a ceasefire deal that would secure the release of about 100 hostages held in Gaza.
He said: “Unfortunately, Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing toward the real victory.
“Strategic decisions are met with hesitation due to political considerations.”
Echoing increasing public protest against Netanyahu’s government, Gantz called for a new round of elections in the fall and urged Netanyahu to set an agreed date to hold them.
“Don’t let our people be torn apart,” he said.
Gantz’s decision to withdraw his centrist party from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition left with extremist ministers, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who advocate for reoccupying the Gaza Strip and expanding Israeli settlements there.
Gantz’s resignation followed a May ultimatum he issued to the right-wing prime minister, demanding that Netanyahu develop a clear post-conflict strategy for Gaza, where Israel has been conducting a fatal assault, and agree to a hostage-ceasefire agreement.
In response to Gantz’s resignation, Netanyahu released a statement, saying that “Israel is in an existential war on several fronts.
“Benny, this is not the time to abandon the campaign,” he said.
NAN
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