Israeli politician Benny Gantz demanded a review of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s post-conflict vision for Gaza on Saturday, threatening to resign from the war cabinet if his concerns were not addressed.
Gantz, seen as Netanyahu’s main rival, demanded that the government provide an updated six-point plan by June 8.
His request could further divide the emergency government that was formed after the October 7 terrorist attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel, which killed around 1,200 Israelis and resulted in more than 250 people being taken hostage.
Gantz’s pressure focused first on ensuring the safe return of the remaining hostages held by Hamas and then on shifting focus to defeating the militant group in the Gaza Strip. He also proposed an international administration – made up of US, European, Arab and Palestinian delegates – to lead civil affairs in Gaza, without including Hamas.
“If you choose the path of the fanatics and lead the entire nation into the abyss, we will be forced to resign from the government,” Gantz said at an Associated Press news conference. reported.
His proposal also includes the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia and the expansion of military service in the country.
Netanyahu rejected Gantz’s request, claiming he was choosing to issue an ultimatum to the Israeli government and not Hamas, according to the AP. Instead, the prime minister called the calls “euphemisms” for Israel’s defeat.
The proposal also comes just days after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant made a similar threat, claiming he would resign if Israel was elected to govern Gaza. Instead, he pressured Netanyahu make plans for a Palestinian state.
“I call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make a decision and declare that Israel will not establish civilian control over the Gaza Strip, that Israel will not establish military governance in the Gaza Strip, and that an alternative government to Hamas in the Gaza Strip Gaza will be moved forward immediately,” Gallant said last week, according to for AP.
Netanyahu’s plan, unveiled in February, would allow Israel to maintain indefinite security in Gaza once the conflict ends. However, this plan would counter pressure from the US and other nations for Israel to establish an independent Palestinian government.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
