DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Benny GantzA popular centrist member of Israel's three-member wartime cabinet, he threatened on Saturday to resign from the government if it did not adopt a new plan within three weeks. war in gazadecision to resign as prime minister Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Increased dependence on far-right allies.
announcement the groove deepens More than seven months into the war, Israel still has not achieved its goal of dismantling Hamas and returning scores of hostages abducted in the extremist group's Oct. 7 attack.
Gantz detailed a six-point plan that includes returning the hostages, ending Hamas' rule, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, and establishing an international civilian administration with U.S., European, Arab and Palestinian cooperation. The plan also supports efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and extend military service to all Israelis.
He gave a deadline of June 8th. “If you choose the path of fanaticism and lead the entire country into the abyss, we will be forced to quit the government,” he said.
In a statement, Netanyahu said Gantz had chosen to issue an ultimatum to the prime minister rather than to Hamas, and called Gantz's conditions a “euphemism” for Israel's defeat.
Gantz, Netanyahu's longtime political rival, joined Netanyahu's coalition government and war cabinet in a show of national unity early in the war. His resignation leaves Netanyahu even more beholden to far-right allies who believe Israel should occupy Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements there.
Gantz spoke days after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, the third member of the war cabinet, said he would not remain in his post if Israel chooses to reoccupy Gaza. called out to the government This is to formulate a plan to establish a Palestinian government.
In what appeared to be an attack on Netanyahu, Gantz said: “Personal and political considerations are beginning to seep into the sanctuaries of Israel's security.” Netanyahu's critics have accused him of trying to prolong the war to avoid new elections, an allegation he denies.
Opinion polls suggest Gantz is the frontrunner to become the next prime minister. If that happens, Prime Minister Netanyahu could be indicted on long-standing corruption charges.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is under increasing pressure on multiple fronts. Hardliners want to press ahead with a military offensive on Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city. Key allies, including the United States, have warned against attacks on the city where more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million people had fled, and where hundreds of thousands of people are now displaced. threaten Reduce humanitarian aid in Gaza. hunger crisis.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will visit Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend to discuss the war and is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday. who declared it Israel would “stand alone” if necessary.
Many Israelis, suffering hostages and accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of putting political interests above all else, want an agreement to end the fighting.Fresh complaints arose on Friday when the military announced it had troops in Gaza The bodies of three hostages were discovered. Israel announced on Saturday that it had found the body of a fourth hostage.
On Saturday night, thousands of Israelis rallied again to demand a deal along with new elections. Some Tel Aviv police responded with water cannon.
“This government is taking our country to a place that I don't want to see my country go to,” said Noam Fagi, one of the protesters.
Recent talks brokered by Qatar, the United States and Egypt for a ceasefire in Gaza have yielded little results.
A new effort to bring desperately needed aid to Gaza appeared to be at a standstill on Saturday. Several Israeli tanks fired warning shots as food trucks appeared to try to clear the road. New pier built by the US. One Palestinian was killed, according to Associated Press reporters at the scene. Hundreds of Palestinians gathered around the stopped truck and took away the boxes.
Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7 left 1,200 people dead and 250 hostages taken. Israel has announced that about 100 hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip, and about 30 more bodies remain. More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, according to local health officials.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel would maintain unrestricted security control over Gaza and work with local Palestinians who are not part of Hamas or the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Ta. But Prime Minister Netanyahu said it was impossible to plan for such a post-war authority before Hamas was defeated.
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Klaus and Jeffrey reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv and Natalie Meltzer in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
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