By Eric Vandenbroeck and co-workers
Gaza Gantz’s War Plan
Israel’s war cabinet minister Benny Gantz has threatened
to resign from the government if it doesn’t adopt a new plan for the war in
Gaza, a move that would leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more reliant on
far-right allies.
In a statement that saw quick reaction from other
members of the government, Gantz said he believed that in recent months, the
war triggered by the Hamas-led October 7 killed was drifting off course.
“While Israeli soldiers are displaying incredible
bravery on the front, some of the people who sent them to battle are acting
with cowardice and a lack of responsibility,” Gantz was quoted saying by The
Times Of Israel. “While in the dark tunnels of Gaza, the hostages are
undergoing the agonies of hell, there are some who are involved in nonsense,”
he said. “While the Israeli public is outdoing itself, some of the politicians
are thinking of themselves.” “A war is only won with a clear and realistic
strategic compass,” he said.
The announcement deepens a divide in Israel’s
leadership more than seven months into a war in which Israel has yet to
accomplish its goals of dismantling Hamas and returning scores of hostages
abducted in the militant group’s Oct. 7 attack. Gantz spelled out a six-point
plan that includes the return of hostages, ending Hamas’ rule, demilitarizing
the Gaza Strip, and establishing an international administration of civilian
affairs with American, European, Arab, and Palestinian cooperation.
The plan also supports efforts to normalize relations
with Saudi Arabia and widen military service to all Israelis. He gave a June 8
deadline. “If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the
abyss — we will be forced to quit the government,” he said. Netanyahu in a
statement responded by saying Gantz had chosen to issue an ultimatum to the
prime minister instead of to Hamas, and called his conditions “euphemisms” for
Israel’s defeat.
Gantz, a longtime political rival of Netanyahu, joined
his coalition and the War Cabinet in the early days of the war in a gesture of
national unity. His departure would leave Netanyahu more beholden to far-right
allies who believe Israel should occupy Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements
there. Gantz spoke days after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the third
member of the War Cabinet, said he would not remain in his post if Israel
elected to reoccupy Gaza, and called on the government to make plans for a
Palestinian administration.
In an apparent swipe at Netanyahu, Gantz said
“personal and political considerations have begun to penetrate the holy of
holies of Israel’s security.” Netanyahu’s critics accuse the prime minister of
seeking to prolong the war to avoid new elections, allegations he denies. Polls
suggest Gantz as the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister. That
would expose Netanyahu to prosecution on longstanding corruption charges.
Netanyahu is under growing pressure on multiple
fronts. Hard-liners want the military offensive on Gaza’s southernmost city of
Rafah to press ahead. The US and other allies warn against the offensive on a
city where more than half of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million had sheltered and
they threaten to scale back support for Gaza’s humanitarian and hunger crisis.
The US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, will be in Saudi Arabia and
Israel this weekend to discuss the war and is scheduled on Sunday to meet with
Netanyahu, who has declared that Israel would “stand alone” if needed.
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