Benny Gantz Resigns from War Cabinet Over Gaza Strategy

Benny Gantz, a top political rival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has resigned from the war cabinet over the country's Gaza strategy. Gantz threatened to resign if Netanyahu did not present a plan for ending the war in Gaza by June 8.

A top political rival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an ultimatum over the country's Gaza strategy Saturday, threatening to resign from Netanyahu's war cabinet.

Knesset member Benny Gantz told Netanyahu that he will resign from the cabinet if he does not present a plan for ending the war in Gaza by June 8. Gantz proposed a plan that would see Israel take over security for a demilitarized Gaza Strip, while an interim Palestinian and international government would handle civil issues in the region.

"If you choose to follow the path of zealots and lead the entire nation toward an abyss, we will be forced to leave the government," Gantz told Netanyahu. "The moment of truth has arrived."

Gantz is one of just three members in Netanyahu's war cabinet, with the third being Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Gallant launched his own attack against Netanyahu last week, arguing Netanyahu had no meaningful plans for a postwar Gaza. He argued Netanyahu was leaving Israel to either enforce a long-term military occupation of Gaza, or return the region to Hamas control after the war.

President Biden's administration has also leaned in on the criticism of Netanyahu. National security adviser Jake Sullivan last week also urged Netanyahu to devise a plan for a post-war Gaza.

Netanyahu has brushed off the attacks, however, arguing his top priority is prosecuting the war against Hamas.

"There is no alternative to military victory," Netanyahu said in a public statement. "The attempt to bypass it with this or that claim is simply detached from reality."

The Biden administration has been openly critical of Israel's strategy in Gaza, with the president threatening to withhold military aid if Netanyahu moves forward with an invasion of Rafah.

While Israel has increased its troop deployments around Rafah, it has so far carried out only limited operations in the area.

Gantz's resignation is a significant blow to Netanyahu, who is already facing intense pressure from within his own party to end the war in Gaza. It is unclear whether Netanyahu will be able to form a new war cabinet without Gantz, and his resignation could lead to the collapse of the government.

The war in Gaza has already claimed the lives of more than 200 people, and it is unclear when or how it will end. Gantz's resignation is a sign that the political pressure on Netanyahu to end the war is growing, and it could lead to a significant shift in the conflict.