In a dramatic escalation of tensions within the Israeli War Cabinet, Benny Gantz has issued a stark ultimatum to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: devise a coherent postwar plan for Gaza or risk losing a crucial ally. As the war with Hamas rages on with no end in sight, the infighting has reached fever pitch, threatening to tear apart the fragile unity government.
Gantz, Netanyahu’s fiercest political rival, has set a deadline of June 8 for the government to propose a comprehensive strategy that includes an international, Arab, and Palestinian administration to oversee Gaza’s civilian affairs. Failure to do so, he warns, will prompt his departure from the War Cabinet, a move that could cripple Netanyahu’s war efforts.
War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz issues ultimatum to Netanyahu on post-war Gaza plan
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) May 19, 2024
'The war cabinet must form a six-point plan by June 8th, to bring back home our hostages, to eliminate the Hamas regime, and to demarcate the Gaza Strip to ensure Israeli security' pic.twitter.com/lpUiTGG0fK
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, another key figure in the Cabinet, echoed Gantz’s demands, insisting that Israel must avoid governing Gaza directly. His recent speech underscored the need for a Palestinian administration, aligning with the views of the United States, which advocates for a revitalized Palestinian Authority supported by Saudi Arabia and other Arab states.
Adding to Netanyahu's woes, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is set to visit Israel, aiming to push these plans forward. The international pressure is mounting, but Netanyahu remains defiant, dismissing the proposed Palestinian Authority involvement as a concession to Hamas and a threat to Israel's security.
Netanyahu’s stance has drawn sharp criticism from within his own government. Gantz’s ultimatum underscores the growing frustration with Netanyahu’s leadership, accusing him of leading the nation into chaos. “Essential decisions were not taken. Acts of leadership required to ensure victory were not carried out,” Gantz lambasted, suggesting that Netanyahu’s hesitance is steering Israel toward disaster.
Boaz Golan (Channel 14): Netanyahu should inform Gantz today that his demands are not acceptable and he is not in any position to make such demands. The Prime Minister can and should dismiss Gantz from the War Cabinet today.
— Marc Zell (@GOPIsrael) May 18, 2024
All Gantz's new conditions are merely a political…
The prime minister’s intransigence has also strained relations with his far-right coalition partners, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. These hardliners demand the reoccupation of Gaza, the displacement of Palestinians, and the reestablishment of Jewish settlements. Their extreme positions further complicate the already volatile political landscape.
Netanyahu’s critics argue that his reluctance to formulate a clear Gaza strategy is driven by political self-preservation. Accusations abound that he is prolonging the war to maintain his grip on power, even as polls suggest he would likely be ousted in new elections, paving the way for Gantz to assume leadership.
Inside the Israeli security establishment, discontent is growing. Officials warn that the absence of a postwar plan is turning tactical victories into strategic blunders. Despite heavy fighting in areas like Jabaliya and Zeitoun, Hamas continues to regroup, exploiting the vacuum left by the lack of a governing authority.
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) May 19, 2024
The humanitarian crisis is deepening, with hundreds of thousands displaced and aid delivery severely hindered. Indirect cease-fire talks, mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, have stalled, with families of hostages increasingly disillusioned by the government’s handling of the situation.
Gantz’s fiery address highlights the critical crossroads at which Israel finds itself. With internal and external pressures mounting, Netanyahu’s next moves will determine the fate of his government, the course of the war, and the future of Gaza. As Gantz starkly put it, “A small minority has taken over the command bridge of the Israeli ship and is leading it toward a wall of rocks.” The nation watches, waiting for decisive leadership to steer it away from impending catastrophe.
