May 18th 2024.
In the Gaza Strip, a popular centrist member of Israel's War Cabinet, Benny Gantz, made a bold statement on Saturday. He threatened to resign from the government if they did not adopt a new plan for the ongoing war in Gaza within the next three weeks. This would leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a difficult position, as he would have to rely more heavily on far-right allies.
This announcement further divides the already fractured leadership in Israel, more than seven months into a war that has yet to achieve its goals of dismantling Hamas and rescuing hostages taken in an attack last October. Gantz laid out a six-point plan that includes the return of hostages, ending Hamas' rule, and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip. He also called for an international administration to oversee civilian affairs, with support from American, European, Arab, and Palestinian parties. Additionally, the plan includes efforts to improve relations with Saudi Arabia and expand military service to all Israelis.
Gantz set a deadline of June 8th, stating, "If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss – we will be forced to quit the government." In response, Netanyahu released a statement accusing Gantz of issuing an ultimatum to him instead of to Hamas. He also called Gantz's conditions "euphemisms" for admitting defeat.
Gantz and Netanyahu have long been political rivals, but Gantz joined the coalition and War Cabinet in the early days of the war as a gesture of national unity. If he follows through on his threat to resign, Netanyahu will be left with fewer allies and potentially be more reliant on far-right parties who believe Israel should occupy Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements there.
Gantz's statement came just days after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the third member of the War Cabinet, announced that he would not remain in his position if Israel chose to reoccupy Gaza. He called on the government to make plans for a Palestinian administration. In what many saw as a direct criticism of Netanyahu, Gantz stated, "Personal and political considerations have begun to penetrate into the holy of holies of Israel's security." Critics of Netanyahu accuse him of prolonging the war to avoid new elections, which he denies.
Public opinion polls suggest that Gantz is the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister. This could expose Netanyahu to prosecution on longstanding corruption charges. As pressure mounts on multiple fronts, hardliners in Israel are pushing for the military offensive in Gaza to continue, while the US and other allies warn against further escalation in the already devastated region.
Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor, will be in Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend to discuss the war. He is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu on Sunday, who has declared that Israel will "stand alone" if needed. However, many Israelis, who are anguished by the ongoing crisis, are calling for a resolution to the fighting and for new elections. This frustration was evident during a rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, where police used water cannons on protesters.
Efforts to reach a cease-fire in Gaza have been unsuccessful so far, despite mediation from Qatar, the US, and Egypt. A new attempt to deliver much-needed aid to Gaza also faced obstacles on Saturday when Israeli tanks fired warning shots to clear the way for trucks carrying food supplies. One Palestinian was killed, and hundreds of others gathered around the stopped trucks, carrying away boxes of supplies.
The war between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing since last October when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. While some hostages have been released, approximately 100 are still being held, along with the bodies of around 30 others. The offensive by Israel has resulted in the deaths of over 35,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. Netanyahu has stated that Israel will maintain control over Gaza's security and work with non-Hamas affiliated Palestinians to establish a post-war authority. However, he believes it is impossible to plan for this until Hamas is defeated.
Reporting from Jerusalem, Krauss and Jeffery contributed to this report, with additional contributions from Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv and Natalie Melzer in Jerusalem.
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