Benny Gantz, Key Member Of Israel’s War Cabinet, Resigns Over ‘Lack Of Plans’ For Postwar Gaza
He served as the 20th Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from 2011 to 2015.
Benny Gantz: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, 09 June 2024, suffered a minor jolt as Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel’s three-man war Cabinet, announced his resignation.
Currently, Benny Gantz’s resignation does not pose an immediate threat to Prime Minister Netanyahu, who still holds a majority coalition in parliament. However, it has made him increasingly dependent on his far-right allies.
Gantz stated that Netanyahu’s approach renders “total victory impossible,” emphasizing that the government should prioritize the return of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 over “political survival.”
Benjamin “Benny” Gantz, a well-regarded retired army general and former military chief, became part of Netanyahu’s government soon after the Hamas attack, demonstrating solidarity. His involvement has also enhanced Israel’s standing with international allies. Gantz maintains strong working relationships with U.S. officials.
Gantz had previously said he would leave the government by June 8 if Netanyahu did not formulate a new plan for postwar Gaza and scrapped a planned news conference Saturday night after four Israeli hostages were dramatically rescued from Gaza earlier in the day in Israel’s largest such operation since the eight-month war began.
At least 274 Palestinians, including children, were killed in the assault, Gaza health officials said.
Gantz also served as Minister of Defense between 2020 and 2022 and deputy prime minister between 2021 and 2022. From 2020 to 2021, he was the alternate prime minister.
He served as the 20th Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from 2011 to 2015.
The Israel–Hamas war began on 7 October 2023, following an attack led by Hamas militants on Israel.
Gantz, on 18 May 2024, threatened to resign from the cabinet effective 8 June if it was unable to engage and adopt proposals for returning hostages, ending Hamas’ rule, demilitarizing Gaza, establishing an international administration, normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia, and widening military service.
(With AP inputs)
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