Israeli war cabinet in turmoil: Gantz may step down on Saturday
The ex-defense minister and army leader took up an oppositional role again following Hamas' major attack on Israel, occurring on October 7th. Gantz then joined Netanyahu's war council without a specific ministerial portfolio. In mid-May, Gantz announced his intention to resign if Netanyahu's right-wing, religious government didn't offer a post-war plan for Gaza by June 8th.
Polls indicate that Gantz has a solid chance to unseat Netanyahu in case the government crashes and early polls are enacted. His party recently submitted a bill to dissolve the Israeli parliament and called for fresh elections.
Netanyahu is experiencing intense pressure domestically. Netanyahu's right-wing coalition partners, Israel's security minister Itamar Ben Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, threatened to disintegrate the coalition should an agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza come to fruition. Hundreds of Israelis are protesting in various cities, demanding a ceasefire agreement and the retrieval of Hamas captives. Gantz declared on June 3rd that the priority was to bring the captives back.
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The War Cabinet, with Gantz as a key member, has been in turmoil due to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Gantz, the Former Minister of Defense, has been pressing for a post-war plan for Gaza, threatening to resign if not provided by June 8th. The Hamas attack on Tel Aviv and subsequent war council meetings have seen Gantz playing an opposing role to Netanyahu, despite joining without a specific portfolio. Netanyahu's right-wing coalition partners have threatened to disintegrate the government if a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip is reached. Gantz, on Saturday, reiterated his priority to bring the captives back, echoing the sentiments of hundreds of Israelis protesting for a ceasefire and the release of detainees.
