Israeli war cabinet member threatens to resign if Benjamin Netanyahu does not adopt new plan for Gaza

Benny Gantz, a popular centrist member of Israel’s three-member war cabinet, has threatened to resign if Benjamin Netanyahu fails to present a post-war plan for Gaza.

He has given the prime minister a deadline of June 8 to draw up the plans. If Gantz resigns, Netanyahu would be even more dependent on right-wing extremist allies.

His announcement deepens the rift within the Israeli leadership more than seven months after the start of the war in which Israel has so far failed to achieve its goals of destroying Hamas and releasing the scores of hostages kidnapped by the militant Palestinian group.

Mr Gantz outlined a six-point plan that includes releasing the hostages, ending Hamas rule, demilitarising Gaza and establishing an international civil affairs administration in cooperation with the US, Europe, the Arabs and the Palestinians. The plan also supports efforts to normalise relations with Saudi Arabia and expand military service for all Israelis.

“If you choose the path of the fanatics and lead the entire nation into the abyss, we will be forced to leave the government,” he said.

In a statement, Netanyahu said Gantz chose to issue an ultimatum to the prime minister rather than Hamas, calling his terms “euphemisms” for Israel’s defeat.

Gantz, a longtime political rival of Netanyahu, joined his coalition and war cabinet in the early days of the war as a sign of national unity. His departure would make Netanyahu even more dependent on far-right allies who support an Israeli occupation of Gaza and the reconstruction of Jewish settlements there.

Just days earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the third member of the war cabinet, had declared that he would not remain in office if Israel decided to reoccupy the Gaza Strip and called on the government to plan for a Palestinian administration.

Gantz said it was a swipe at Netanyahu, saying “personal and political considerations have begun to intrude into the inner sanctum of Israel’s security.” Critics of Netanyahu accuse the prime minister of wanting to prolong the war to avoid new elections. He denies these accusations.

Polls show Gantz as the most likely candidate to become the next prime minister, a move that could expose Netanyahu to prosecution over long-standing corruption allegations.