Gantz resigns from Israeli War Cabinet, citing frustration with Netanyahu strategy

The centrist politician Benny Gantz, one of the three members of the War Cabinet Israeliannounced his resignation on Sunday and accused the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of mishandling the war and putting their own “political survival” above the country’s security needs.

The move poses no immediate threat to Netanyahu, whose coalition still holds a majority in Parliament. However, the Israeli president is becoming more dependent on far-right allies, who oppose the most recent US ceasefire proposal and want to continue with the war.

“Unfortunately, Netanyahu is preventing us from achieving a true victory, which is the justification for the painful price we are paying.” He added that Netanyahu is “making false promises” and that the country needs to go in a different direction as the fighting is expected to continue for years.

Gantz, a popular former military chief, joined Netanyahu’s government shortly after the attack. Hamas in a demonstration of unity. His presence also increased Israel’s credibility with its international partners. Gantz has good relations with US officials.

Gantz had previously announced that he would resign by June 8 if Netanyahu did not present a new plan for the Gaza Strip after the war.

He canceled a news conference planned for Sunday night after four Israeli hostages were rescued from Gaza, in Israel’s largest operation of its kind since the war — which is in its eighth month — began. At least 274 Palestinians, including minors, were killed in the attack, Gaza health authorities reported.

Gantz called for Israel to hold elections in the fall and encouraged the third member of the War Cabinet, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, to “do the right thing” and also resign from the government. Gallant has said he would resign if Israel decides to reoccupy Gaza and urged the government to draw up plans for a Palestinian administration.

On Saturday, Netanyahu urged Gantz not to leave the wartime emergency government.

“This is the time for unity, not division,” the prime minister said in a direct plea to Gantz.

Gantz’s decision to leave is largely “a symbolic move” due to his frustration with Netanyahu, said Gideon Rahat, director of the Faculty of Political Science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He noted that he will further increase Netanyahu’s dependence on right-wing extremist members, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

“I think the outside world, particularly the United States, is not very happy about this because they consider Gantz and his party to be the most responsible person within the government,” Rahat opined.

On Sunday afternoon, Ben-Gvir demanded a place in the War Cabinet saying that Gantz and the War Cabinet have failed in the conflict due to “dangerous” ideological decisions.

Hamas captured about 250 hostages during the Oct. 7 attack that left about 1,200 people dead. About half were freed in a week-long ceasefire in November. About 120 hostages remain, 43 of them dead. At least 36,700 Palestinians have been killed in combat, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count.