Conflict in the Middle East Region - Minister Gantz departs from Israel's administration.
In a disagreement about a post-war strategy for Gaza, Minister Benny Gantz has left the Israeli emergency government. Gantz criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his camp for "being timid and delaying because of political reasons."
"Today, we are leaving the emergency government, with a heavy heart but pained," said Gantz. He had been a part of the influential war council created in October following a terrorist attack by Hamas and other extremists on Israel. His departure might lead to the dissolution of the war council, according to media reports.
Ultimatum lapsed
Previous general Gantz joined Netanyahu's government without a portfolio following the October 7 massacre to show solidarity. His resignation now underlines the fundamental differences within the coalition regarding the issue. Before, Gantz set an ultimatum that if Netanyahu's administration failed to propose a post-war order for Gaza, he would leave the cabinet. This ultimatum expired on Saturday. However, Gantz delayed a planned press conference at the last minute due to the surprise release of four hostages from Gaza that day. His abandonment of the government affects his own party, National Union, he said.
Netanyahu's leadership will not be destabilized by this move. Netanyahu's right-religious cabinet still has a majority of 64 out of 120 seats in parliament without Gantz's party.
Netanyahu refuses to present a plan for governing and rebuilding Gaza after the war - maybe to avoid offending his ultraconservative allies. His associates aim for controversial Israeli settlement construction in Gaza. Netanyahu's political survival depends on them.
Gantz urged that Israel should do its utmost for implementing the agreement endorsed by US President Joe Biden for a ceasefire and the swap of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip for Palestinian prisoners. Israel must be prepared for years of conflict, he cautioned.
The United States is reported to have circulated a UN Security Council draft resolution, calling on Hamas to accept the agreement to end the strife. According to a veteran Israeli journalist, Barak Ravid, the draft says that Israel has agreed to the agreement while Hamas is urged to do the same. Both sides must promptly and fully implement the terms. A vote in the UN Security Council is imminent, writes Ravid on X.
US Secretary of State on Middle East Diplomatic Mission
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to be in the Middle East this week, advocating for the agreement again. His tour will encompass Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Qatar. Since weeks, Qatar, the United States, and Egypt have been mediating between Israel and Hamas, who don't directly negotiate.
Terrorists connected with Hamas and other radical groups in Gaza unexpectedly infiltrated southern Israel on October 7, killing over 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages. This attack sparked the Gaza War, which, according to the health authorities controlled by Hamas, killed more than 37,000 Palestinians. Around 84,500 individuals were wounded. The estimates don't distinguish between combatants and civilians and are challenging to confirm independently.
Israel's military is facing international condemnation for its actions in Gaza and the high number of civilian casualties. The condition of the over two million individuals in Gaza is claimed to be catastrophic by humanitarian groups.
World Food Program: New Difficulties for Gaza Aid Distribution
The World Food Program (WFP) has temporarily halted aid distribution for Gaza residents via a provisional pier off the coast. Concerned about their staff's safety, WFP Director Cindy McCain elaborated at the US television network CBS.
It remains unclear how this could've transpired. If McCain referred to the dramatic hostage rescue operation by the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip's heart is still unclear.
McCain was asked about the distribution of aid via a pier constructed by US forces off Gaza's coast. The pier had been fixed once more after sustaining extensive damage a few days after being completed due to rough seas. Centcom, the US command responsible for the Middle East, announced that aid deliveries would resume. The pier has been fixed once more after enduring severe damage from rough seas. Centcom, responsible for the Middle East, notified that aid deliveries would continue. The pier had been fixed once more after being damaged by rough seas.
Read also:
- The post-war plan for the Gaza Strip was a contentious issue between Minister Benny Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leading to Gantz's resignation from the Israeli emergency government.
- The departure of Gantz from the Israeli cabinet could potentially lead to the dissolution of the war council, established in response to the terrorist attack in the Gaza Strip.
- During his tenure in the war council, Gantz advocated for a strong post-war strategy, including implementing the ceasefire agreement endorsed by US President Joe Biden.
- The United States has reportedly circulated a UN Security Council draft resolution, urging Hamas to accept the agreement to end the strife in the Gaza Strip.
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit several Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt, Israel, and Qatar, to advocate for the agreement between Israel and Hamas.
- In October, terrorists connected with Hamas and other radical groups launched an attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people and seizing over 250 hostages, leading to the Gaza War.
- Israel's military actions in Gaza have been met with international condemnation due to the high number of civilian casualties, with humanitarian groups claiming that the condition in Gaza is catastrophic.
- The World Food Program (WFP) has temporarily halted aid distribution for Gaza residents due to safety concerns, and it remains unclear how the aid delivery via a US-constructed pier off Gaza's coast was affected.
- Benjamin Netanyahu's right-religious cabinet still maintains a majority in the Israeli parliament despite Gantz's departure, but his refusal to present a post-war plan for Gaza could potentially affect future domestic policies.
- The Islamist movement Hamas has been a significant player in the ongoing conflicts in the Gaza Strip, with the conflict showing no signs of abating in the near future.
- The role of countries such as Egypt and Qatar as mediators in the Israel-Hamas conflict highlights the importance of regional diplomacy in achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East.
