NBC reported that Benny Gantz, the Israeli Defense Minister, has resigned from his position.
The resignation was announced during a televised event, during which Gantz highlighted his divergences from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strategies. The high civilian toll in Gaza and the absence of a coherent postwar plan were central to his decision.
Gantz accused Netanyahu of obstructing what he believed could be a "real victory" for Israel. He stated his concerns about the direction of the war and the lack of long-term goals.
In reaction, Netanyahu stressed the importance of unity and a continued strong stance against Hamas. He has vowed to persist with the military offensive until the extremist group is defeated and all Israeli hostages are released.
Adding to the internal challenges are the positions of key other members of Netanyahu’s cabinet. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have firmly opposed any cessation of hostilities that does not fulfill their stringent conditions.
The significant number of civilian casualties has heightened the growing international dismay over the situation in Gaza. Criticism has not been limited to voices outside of Israel but has also included proposals for ceasefire and resolution from global leaders such as U.S. President Joe Biden.
Moreover, both Israel and Hamas recently faced severe reproaches at an international level. The U.N. has included them in a blacklist for causing harm to children, and the International Criminal Court is actively seeking arrest warrants for leaders from both sides.
Here is what Gantz said about the international ceasefire proposal: "I stand behind the outline we received in the War Cabinet, the principles of which were presented by President Biden, and demand from the prime minister the courage required to stand behind it and do everything to promote it."
With Gantz exiting, the Israeli cabinet faces a potential shift towards more extreme policies, as Netanyahu might depend significantly on right-wing factions opposing any compromises in the conflict.
During his resignation, Gantz also highlighted his regret towards the families of hostages, admitting partial responsibility for their plight: "We failed to bring most of them home. The responsibility is also mine," he acknowledged.
The dismissal has sparked a push for an earlier electoral process. Gantz urged Netanyahu to set an election date for the fall, implying it was a way to prevent further internal divisions.
As Israel continues its military operations, the repercussions of such political upheavals are yet to unfold. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s government holds to its course, with broader regional and global implications hanging in the balance.
