Benny GantzThe centrist member of Israel's three-member wartime cabinet threatened on Saturday to resign from the government unless it adopted a new plan within three weeks. war in gazathe move will make Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even more reliant on his own policies. far-right ally.
his announcement Fissures within Israel's leadership intensify More than seven months after the war began, the stated goals of dismantling Hamas and returning the large number of hostages abducted in the October 7 attack have still not been achieved.
Gantz detailed a six-point plan that included: Return of many hostages, end Hamas rule, demilitarize the Gaza Strip, and establish an international civilian administration. We will also support efforts to normalize relations with China. Saudi Arabia.
He has said he will resign from government if the bill is not passed by June 8. “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.
Gantz is a popular politician and longtime political opponent of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. joined his coalition and the army cabinet at the beginning of the war.
Michael Balaclas/AP
The former military chief of staff and defense minister's resignation has seen Prime Minister Netanyahu take a hard line on negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release, further entrenching far-right allies who believe Israel should occupy Gaza and rebuild Jewish enclaves. You will be indebted to him. A village there.
Gantz spoke days after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the third member of the wartime cabinet, publicly stated that he had repeatedly implored ministers to make the decision. Gaza's postwar vision A new Palestinian civilian leadership will then emerge.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is under increasing pressure on multiple fronts.Hardliners in the government want military attack on Gaza Rafah, the southernmost city We are moving forward with the goal of crushing Hamas. Key allies, including the United States, have warned against attacks on cities such as: More than half of Gaza's population 2.3 million people have been evacuated and hundreds of thousands are currently displaced, but they are threatened. Scale back support Regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
US National Security Advisor jake sullivan He arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday and was received by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Reuters reported. He is expected to visit Israel this weekend and meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has declared that Israel will “stand alone” if necessary.
The White House revealed last week that it had put a shipment of weapons on hold to Israel over concerns that the weapons would be used in a ground attack on Rafah.president biden also spoke in an interview with CNN. If the Israelis “enter Rafah,” “I will not supply them with the weapons that have historically been used to deal with Rafah.”
But earlier this week, two sources in Congress said confirmed to CBS News. The Biden administration has reportedly notified Congress that it intends to transfer $1 billion in arms to Israel.
Where does that money come from? $95 billion foreign aid bill A bill was passed last month providing military aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.
Many Israelis, anguished over the hostages and accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of putting political interests above all else, want an agreement to end the fighting and release the hostages. Fresh complaints arose on Friday when the military announced that troops in the Gaza Strip had found the bodies of three hostages killed by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attack.
Israeli forces reported on Saturday that they had recovered the body of a fourth hostage, Ron Benjamin. The Israel Defense Forces said Benjamin was believed to have been killed during the attack on October 7, and his body was taken to Gaza by Hamas militants.
Benjamin, 53, leaves behind a wife and two children, according to the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, a campaign group.
Latest lecture content pursuit of ceasefireIntermediaries by Qatar, the US and Egypt have yielded little. The post-war vision is also unclear.
The war began after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel has announced that it is estimated that 128 hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip.
Israel's offensive killed more More than 35,000 Palestinians have died in the Gaza Strip, and hundreds more have been killed in Gaza, local health officials said. occupied west bank.
