Jerusalem, May 19 (UNI) Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz said on Saturday that he will resign from the emergency government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unless a new plan for a military operation in the Gaza Strip is adopted by June 8.
“We are now at a fatal crossroads, when the country’s leadership must see the bigger picture, identify risks and opportunities, and formulate an updated national strategy. In order for us to fight shoulder to shoulder, the war cabinet must formulate and approve by June 8 an action plan that will lead to the implementation of six strategic goals of national significance,” Gantz told a press conference.
The minister emphasised that he will leave the government if the cabinet fails to approve an action plan by the specified date.
The goals of national significance outlined by Gantz include the return of all Israeli hostages, overthrowing the Hamas government, the demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip and the establishment of Israeli security control over the Palestinian enclave, as well as the creation of a civil administration in the region with the participation of the United States, Europe, Arab countries and Palestinians. The minister also called for the return of northern Israel residents to their homes by September 1.
Gantz’s threat to resign from Netanyahu’s government has sparked criticism from ministers and calls for for his removal from office, The Times of Israel reported.
On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others were abducted during the attack. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 35,200 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.
