Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel’s War Cabinet, threatened to resign from the government if a new plan for the war in Gaza is not adopted in three weeks. His six-point plan includes returning hostages, ending Hamas’ rule, demilitarizing Gaza, and establishing an international administration. The Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, has also called for a postwar vision for Gaza with a new Palestinian civilian leadership. Netanyahu is facing pressure from hard-liners who want to crush Hamas, while the U.S. and other allies have warned against further military offensives on Gaza.
Israel is in the seventh month of a war that started after an attack by Hamas on southern Israel, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and the abduction of over 250 hostages. Around 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza, with the bodies of around 30 hostages also held. The Israeli offensive has resulted in the deaths of more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza and hundreds more in the West Bank. Many Israelis are frustrated with Netanyahu’s handling of the crisis, accusing him of prioritizing political interests over the hostages’ welfare. The discovery of the bodies of four hostages further heightened tensions.
Benny Gantz’s threat to resign comes as a major challenge for Netanyahu, who would become more reliant on far-right allies if Gantz leaves the government. The far-right allies support occupying Gaza and rebuilding Jewish settlements, which goes against efforts for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The U.S. national security adviser is visiting Saudi Arabia and Israel to discuss the ongoing conflict, as Netanyahu insists that Israel is prepared to “stand alone” if necessary. The lack of progress in talks for a ceasefire points to an uncertain future beyond the ongoing war in Gaza.
Gantz’s six-point plan includes efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia, which could be a crucial step in resolving the conflict. However, hard-liners within the government advocate for continued military offensives to crush Hamas. The situation is further complicated by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with hundreds of thousands of residents fleeing the region due to the ongoing violence. Gantz’s resignation would leave Netanyahu in a precarious position, with mounting pressure from various fronts to find a solution to the conflict and secure the release of hostages.
The war in Gaza has lasted for over seven months, with no clear end in sight. Talks for a ceasefire have made little progress, and the situation is further complicated by the discovery of the bodies of hostages killed by Hamas. Netanyahu’s leadership is being tested as he faces criticism for the handling of the crisis and pressure from hard-liners within the government. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life on both sides and a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of the conflict and the potential for a resolution that addresses the underlying issues fueling the violence.
