James Myers of OAN
Monday, June 10, 2024 8:54 AM
Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, resigned from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government on Saturday after Israel celebrated the rescue of four hostages.
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“Netanyahu is preventing us from moving forward toward real victory [in Gaza]In a televised statement on Sunday, Gantz said leaving the government was a “complex and painful” decision.
“That is why, today, we leave the emergency government with heavy hearts but with full hearts,” he said.
“The situation has changed within the country and among decision-making bodies.”
Gantz also accused Netanyahu of prioritizing his own political considerations over a post-war strategy for the Gaza Strip, claiming that “major strategic decisions are being held back and postponed due to political considerations,” and called for the prime minister to call elections within the next few months.
“I call on Prime Minister Netanyahu to set an agreed date for elections so that the people are not torn apart,” Gantz said.
Gantz’s comments came shortly after he gave Netanyahu an ultimatum last month to come up with a new plan to fight terror groups by June 8.Number.
Gantz was also expected to resign on Saturday but postponed the announcement after Israeli forces reportedly rescued four hostages in an operation that Gaza officials said killed more than 270 Palestinians.
Responding to Gantz’s remarks, Prime Minister Netanyahu said now was a time for unity, not division.
“Benny, now is not the time to abandon the campaign. Now is the time to join forces,” Netanyahu told Gantz in a post on X.
“My fellow Israelis: we will continue to fight until we are victorious and all of the war’s objectives are achieved – until all the most important hostages are released and Hamas is eliminated,” Netanyahu said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu said he was open to parties willing to cooperate in the fight against Hamas, saying they would “contribute to the victory over the enemy and to ensuring the security of our people.”
Gantz’s resignation means Netanyahu will now rely more on members of his own ruling party and puts President Joe Biden’s war proposals in a tight spot.
Finance Minister and Zionist Party Chairman Bezalel Smotrich said last week that he “agrees with the proposed outline and will not join a government that ends the war without destroying Hamas.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, leader of the Jewish Power party, called Biden’s proposal a “victory for terror” and a “total defeat” and warned that he would “dissolve the government” if Netanyahu agreed to the proposal.
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