**Benny Gantz to Resign from Netanyahu’s Government Amid Gaza Strategy Dispute**
In a move that could significantly shake up Israeli politics, Benny Gantz, Israel’s centrist war cabinet minister, is poised to announce his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency government. The anticipated announcement, scheduled for later today, follows weeks of speculation and a public ultimatum Gantz gave to Netanyahu last month regarding a post-conflict strategy for Gaza.
Gantz, who has been a key figure in broadening the government’s support domestically and internationally, had set a June 8 deadline for Netanyahu to present a viable plan for Gaza’s future following a prolonged and devastating military offensive against Hamas, the ruling Palestinian militant group in the territory. The lack of details from Gantz’s camp about his speech has not stopped political analysts from predicting his departure, a move that could have far-reaching implications for Israel’s political landscape and its ongoing conflict in Gaza.
While Gantz’s exit is not expected to immediately topple Netanyahu’s coalition, which holds a solid majority in parliament, it signals a potential shift towards a more hardline stance. Netanyahu’s reliance on ultra-nationalist parties, known for their contentious positions and calls for a complete reoccupation of Gaza, is likely to increase without Gantz’s centrist influence. This shift could exacerbate tensions with the United States and amplify domestic criticism of the government’s handling of the Gaza war, now in its eighth month without achieving its stated objectives.
Political analysts suggest that Gantz’s decision may also reflect skepticism about the prospects of reaching a ceasefire with Hamas. His departure is seen as a significant blow to Netanyahu, under whom Israel’s security situation has become increasingly precarious, especially following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that challenged Netanyahu’s security credentials.
Gantz, a former army commander and defense minister, joined Netanyahu’s unity government shortly after the attack, citing national interest over political rivalry. His resignation could not only reshape the dynamics of Israeli politics but also signal a critical juncture in the country’s approach to the Gaza conflict and its broader regional strategy.
As Israel braces for Gantz’s speech, the nation and the world await to see how this development will influence the trajectory of Israeli politics and its efforts to secure peace and stability in a region marked by longstanding conflict.
(Reporting by Maayan Lubell and Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Helen Popper)