Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected an ultimatum from Benny Gantz, his centrist rival, threatening to resign from the war cabinet and government if a new Gaza plan is not adopted by June 8. Gantz outlined a six-point post-war plan that includes overthrowing Hamas, demilitarizing Gaza, and normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu called Gantz’s proposals “washed-up words” and an abandonment of hostages, leaving Hamas intact, and establishing a Palestinian state.
The war cabinet, consisting of Netanyahu, Gantz, and Yoav Gallant, has shown signs of fraying, with Gantz’s ultimatum coming after comments by Gallant criticizing Netanyahu for not producing a post-war plan. Gantz expressed concern that the emergency government had strayed from its initial purpose, claiming a small minority was steering Israel towards disaster. Protests calling for Netanyahu’s resignation and new elections have erupted in Tel Aviv, showing growing frustration with the current government’s handling of the situation.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces announced the recovery of the body of Ron Binyamin, a hostage taken during Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7. His body was found alongside three other hostages, leading to renewed tensions in the region. The war cabinet was established as an emergency government following the attack, but seven months later, there is still no cease-fire agreement, hostage deal, or dismantling of Hamas. Gantz, considered a potential successor to Netanyahu, could force the prime minister to rely more on far-right political allies if he resigns.
Gantz directly appealed to Netanyahu, questioning if he would do the right and patriotic thing in response to the ultimatum. The situation in Israel has become increasingly tense, with escalating demands for a new approach to the Gaza crisis. Netanyahu’s rejection of Gantz’s plans may push the country towards a more hard-line approach, leading to further uncertainty in the region. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to Gantz’s ultimatum and the growing discontent among the Israeli population.
